Dubai’s toll system, Salik, is expanding. Two new toll gates will be operational starting Sunday, November 24, 2024. These gates, named the Business Bay gate and the Al Safa South gate, were announced by Salik PJSC on Friday.
The new toll gates are located at key locations: the Business Bay gate is situated at the Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Road, while the Al Safa South gate is on Sheikh Zayed Road, between Al Meydan Street and Umm Al Sheif Street. With these additions, the total number of Salik gates in Dubai will increase from eight to ten.
Traffic Relief Expected
Salik’s CEO, Ibrahim Al Haddad, shared that the new gates aim to reduce traffic congestion by up to 16%. The Business Bay Crossing gate is expected to lessen traffic by:
- 12 to 15 percent on Al Khail Road
- 10 to 16 percent on Al Rabat Street
The Al Safa South gate will specifically improve traffic flow by:
- Reducing right-turn traffic from Sheikh Zayed Road to Meydan Street by 15 percent
- Enhancing the movement between Financial Center Street and Meydan Street
- Redistributing traffic to broader roads like First Al Khail Street and Al Asayel Street
Al Haddad mentioned that the Al Safa South gate is designed to work with the existing northern Al Safa gate. Drivers passing through both gates within an hour will only need to make a single payment.
Sustainable Energy Initiatives
Both new toll gates will operate almost entirely on solar power. This is a significant step for Salik, aligning with Dubai’s commitment to sustainable growth and green energy. Al Haddad expressed excitement about this achievement, noting that it reflects Salik’s dedication to environmentally friendly practices.
Clarification on Pricing
Recently, there were rumors about changing toll prices, specifically dynamic pricing based on peak and off-peak hours. Salik has denied these claims, stating that the information circulating on social media is incorrect. Currently, the toll fee remains fixed at AED 4 for each vehicle passing through any Salik gate.
Last year, Salik recorded approximately 593 million trips through its gates. From January to June of this year, there were about 238.5 million trips, generating AED 1.1 billion in revenue—an increase of 5.6% compared to the same period last year.
Future Plans for Toll Gates
When asked about the possibility of more toll gates in the future, Al Haddad explained that there is no set schedule for additional gates. The decision to introduce new toll gates depends on traffic conditions and results from technical studies. The aim is to improve transportation efficiency and enhance traffic flow throughout Dubai.
Any changes to the tolling system, whether through new gates or adjustments to fees, will be based on evaluations from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and will need approval from Dubai’s Executive Council.
