Dubai’s Salik Company PJSC is set to open two new toll gates by the end of November 2024, enhancing traffic flow and reducing congestion across key roads. The new gates, located at Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Road and Al Safa South on Sheikh Zayed Road, will increase the total number of Salik gates in Dubai from eight to ten.
Traffic Improvements Expected
Ibrahim Al Haddad, CEO of Salik, stated that a study by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) indicated significant benefits from the new gates. The Business Bay Crossing gate is expected to reduce congestion on Al Khail Road by 12 to 15 percent and decrease traffic volume on Al Rabat Street by 10 to 16 percent. For the Al Safa South gate, improvements are anticipated in traffic allocation between Financial Center Street and Meydan Street, with a 15 percent reduction in right-turn traffic from Sheikh Zayed Road to Meydan Street.
Solar-Powered Infrastructure
Both new toll gates will be nearly 100 percent solar-powered, aligning with Dubai’s sustainability goals and Salik’s commitment to green energy. Al Haddad emphasized that this initiative supports Dubai’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives, with plans to transition all Salik gates to solar power in the coming years.
Toll Fees and Future Plans
The new gates will operate similarly to existing ones, charging a Dh4 fee automatically via the Salik tag. Al Haddad clarified that vehicles passing through both the North and South Al Safa gates within an hour will incur only one charge, similar to the Al Mamzar North and South gates.While there are no fixed schedules for additional toll gates, the introduction of new gates will depend on traffic and congestion levels, based on technical studies conducted by the RTA. Al Haddad noted that any changes to toll rates require approval from Dubai’s Executive Council.
Financial Aspects
The total construction cost for the two new Salik gates is approximately Dh65 million, with a repayment plan established with the RTA over six years, starting at the end of November 2024. The combined valuation for the gates amounts to Dh2.73 billion, with the Business Bay gate valued at Dh2.27 billion and the Al Safa gate at Dh469 million.
Growth in Traffic and Revenue
Salik reported a 4.9 percent increase in revenue-generating trips in the first half of 2024, totaling 238.5 million trips. This growth reflects increased traffic volumes and economic activity in Dubai, supported by the government’s focus on urban innovation and sustainability.
Expected road congestion reduction
Business Bay Crossing gate will reduce traffic by:
- 12 to 15 per cent on Al Khail Road
- 10 to 16 per cent on Al Rabat Street
Al Safa South gate:
- 15 per cent reduction of right-turn traffic volume from Sheikh Zayed Road to Meydan Street
- Improve traffic flow between Financial Center Street and Meydan Street
- Redistribute traffic to wider First Al Khail Street and Al Asayel Street