Dubai's new Salik toll gates officially open this week, bringing changes to how drivers navigate the city. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has confirmed the launch date for two major new toll points, which will be introduced to the city's roads in 2024. The toll gates will be located at the Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Road and at the South Al Safa Toll on Sheikh Zayed Road, both of which will open on Sunday, November 24.
First announced by the RTA on January 19, these new tolls will charge drivers as they pass through these two key locations. The first toll gate will be located on Al Khail Road at the Business Bay Crossing, while the second will be placed on Sheikh Zayed Road, between Al Meydan Street and Umm Al Sheif.
Good news for commuters, though: if you pass through both of the Safa gates (North and South) within an hour, you'll only be charged once. This same rule applies to the existing Al Mamzar toll gates as well. The cost per toll crossing is set at 4 dirhams each time. The two new toll gates won’t be operational until the end of November, so drivers have a month of toll-free travel through these areas.
Driving in Dubai: Everything You Need to Know About Salik Toll System.
Why the Toll Gates?
The introduction of these new Salik toll gates is part of a broader strategy to ease traffic congestion. The aim is to provide a faster, more efficient route for motorists while also encouraging the use of public transport. The RTA’s Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, Mattar Al Tayer, explained earlier this year that these new tolls will help distribute traffic more evenly across Dubai's road network. "Road pricing policies also encourage people to switch to mass transit options such as the metro, buses, marine transport, and soft mobility options," he said.
In addition to reducing congestion, the new tolls are expected to improve travel times on Sheikh Zayed Road. The Business Bay Crossing toll gate, for instance, is expected to reduce traffic on Al Khail Road by 15% and on Al Rebat Street by 16%. The South Al Safa toll gate should also reduce traffic turning right from Sheikh Zayed Road onto Al Meydan Street by 15%. Additionally, traffic from Al Meydan and Al Safa Streets heading toward Sheikh Zayed Road is expected to decrease by 42%. The RTA also predicts a 4% reduction in traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road between the Financial Centre and Latifa Bint Hamdan Streets, as well as improved traffic flow on the First Al Khail and Al Asayel Roads.
A Long-Term Vision
Salik’s toll system was first introduced in Dubai in 2007, and it currently has eight toll gates operating across the city. Motorists must pay 4 dirhams each time they pass through a Salik gate. The company that runs the toll system holds the exclusive rights for maintenance and operation until the end of June 2071. As part of an agreement between Salik and the RTA, a sum of 2.734 billion dirhams was paid to the transport authority to fund the new toll gates.
Looking ahead, the RTA has hinted at the possibility of dynamic pricing starting in January 2024. This means that toll costs could increase during peak hours, especially in heavily trafficked areas.
As Salik continues to expand, drivers will need to adjust to these changes, but the goal remains clear: a smoother, faster, and more efficient journey for everyone in Dubai.