DUBAI: Salik PJSC has announced the activation of two new toll gates at Business Bay Crossing and Al Safa South on Sheikh Zayed Road, set to go live on 24 November.
Part of a strategic move to optimise Dubai’s road network and ease congestion, the new tolls mark an expansion that brings the city’s total number of Salik gates to ten.
This development aligns with the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) Al Khail Road Development Project, which recently enhanced major road infrastructure across several critical locations, including Al Jaddaf, Business Bay, Zaabeel, and Al Quoz 1.
“This project included the construction of five bridges extending 3,300 metres and the expansion of 6,820 metres of road lanes across seven different locations along Al Khail Road,” noted the RTA in its recent statement. “Serving 1.5 million people, the project has reduced travel time by 30 per cent and increased the capacity of intersections and bridges by approximately 19,600 vehicles per hour.”
New Toll Gates
Business Bay Crossing Gate
The Business Bay Crossing Gate, located on Al Khail Road, is expected to divert traffic from Jebel Ali towards Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road, significantly reducing congestion on several key routes. The new gate is projected to cut traffic on Al Khail Road by up to 15 percent, while Al Rebat Street may experience a 16% decrease in vehicles, leading to smoother traffic on Financial Centre Street.
Additionally, the RTA estimates this gate could reduce daily travel times by around 20,000 hours on the busiest sections of Al Khail Road.
According to Ibrahim Al Haddad, CEO of Salik, “The new gates are set to decrease traffic by up to 16 percent, offering tangible relief on Dubai’s busiest roads and reducing overall congestion.”
Al Safa South Gate
The Al Safa South Gate, strategically positioned on Sheikh Zayed Road between Al Meydan and Umm Al Sheif Streets, complements the existing northern Al Safa gate. In a sustainable, user-friendly feature, a single toll will be charged for vehicles crossing both gates within an hour, ensuring seamless travel across Sheikh Zayed Road.
The impact of Al Safa South Gate is anticipated to be substantial, including a 15 percent reduction in right-turn traffic from Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Meydan Street and a 42 percent reduction in traffic volumes moving from Al Meydan and Al Safa Streets towards Sheikh Zayed Road. Overall, the new gate is expected to optimise the flow of vehicles on both First Al Khail Street and Al Asayel Street, reducing congestion in these areas by up to 4 percent.
Al Haddad expressed enthusiasm over the sustainability features introduced: “Both new toll gates will be almost 100 per cent solar powered, which is a first for Salik and something we have been focused on achieving for some time. This supports our sustainable growth agenda, aligned with Dubai’s goals and our commitment to green energy,” he added.
Benefits for Dubai’s Road Network
The new toll gates at Business Bay and Al Safa South represent a pivotal step in a larger plan to integrate road networks and transportation systems across Dubai. Designed to encourage more widespread use of alternative routes, public transport, and sustainable mobility options, the new gates are expected to relieve bottlenecks on major thoroughfares like Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, and Al Rebat Street. The new toll points will also reduce the reliance on private vehicles, aiming to achieve smoother, more sustainable traffic flows in Dubai’s busiest areas.
Transport Policies
The RTA’s transport policies supporting these new tolls are targeted at optimising existing road infrastructure while promoting public transport options.
In the past, Dubai’s toll gates have successfully alleviated pressure on major bridges, with 26 percent reduced traffic on Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud Bridges, as well as shorter travel times along Sheikh Zayed and Al Ittihad Roads.
By encouraging shifts to public transport options, including the metro, buses, and marine transport, these policies have seen public transport ridership grow by approximately 9 million passengers per year.
Traffic Benefits
As part of a broad transportation overhaul, global consultants advised on the strategic placement of these gates to address congestion hotspots:
Business Bay Crossing Gate will reduce traffic on Al Khail Road by 15 percent, diverting approximately 2,053 vehicles per hour, and decrease the load on Al Rebat Street by up to 16 percent.
Al Safa South Gate will reduce traffic by approximately 15% for right-turn movements from Sheikh Zayed Road to Meydan Street and optimise usage of First Al Khail Road and Al Asayel Street by around 4 percent.