Dubai’s ever-growing traffic demands require constant enhancements to ensure smoother commutes, and the latest step towards that goal is the introduction of two new Salik toll gates.
These gates are strategically positioned on key roads in the city and will become operational by the end of November. If you’re a regular motorist in Dubai, here’s everything you need to know about these new Salik gates on Al Khail Road and Al Safa South on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Locations of the New Salik Gates
The first new Salik gate is located on Business Bay Crossing at Al Khail Road, while the second gate is positioned at Al Safa South on Sheikh Zayed Road, between Al Meydan Street and Umm Al Sheif Street. These gates bring the total number of Salik toll gates in Dubai from eight to ten.
Why These Locations Were Chosen
The placement of these gates is not random. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) selected the locations after conducting thorough studies on traffic movement and patterns. The primary aim is to distribute traffic more efficiently across different routes, reducing congestion on major roads like Sheikh Zayed Road.
By encouraging motorists to take alternative routes, these new toll gates will help alleviate pressure on high-traffic areas and create smoother journeys for all.
How the Salik System Works
For those unfamiliar with the Salik toll system, it’s an automated electronic toll collection system that requires vehicles to have a Salik tag. When you pass through a Salik gate, the RFID technology in the gate scans your Salik tag, and the toll amount is automatically deducted from your Salik account.
There’s no need to stop or slow down, as the system works seamlessly while you’re driving at regular speed.
Benefits of the New Salik Gates
The primary purpose of these new gates is to regulate and ease traffic congestion in two of Dubai’s busiest areas. Here’s how they help:
- Alleviating Congestion: By introducing new toll gates, the RTA aims to redirect a portion of the traffic that would otherwise congest the central routes. This will help improve traffic flow on Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, two of the city’s main arteries.
- Encouraging Alternative Routes: The tolls encourage drivers to explore and utilize alternate roads with more capacity, leading to better traffic distribution across Dubai.
- Smoother Travel: With fewer vehicles clogging up the busiest routes, the introduction of these gates will likely result in faster, more efficient travel times for commuters.
Operational Timeline
These gates are set to be up and running by the end of November 2024. So, motorists have a few months to prepare before these toll charges come into effect.
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