UAE | Traffic and Transport
New Salik gates 'will reduce traffic'
Toll to be levied once if a motorist passes both Safa Park and Al Barsha gates during a journey.
- By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
- Published: 00:04 May 28, 2008
- The Business Bay Crossing
- Floating Bridge
- Al Shindagha Tunnel
- Al Sufouh Road
- Al Wasl Road
- Jumeirah Road
- Al Khail Road
- Emirates Road
- All types of vehicles: Dh4
- Card, subscription fee: Dh50
- Card replacement fee: Dh50
- Card cancellation fee: Dh10
- Transfer of card: Dh50
- Maximum charge: Dh24 a day
Dubai: Two new Salik toll gates will be installed in Dubai - one each on Al Maktoum Bridge and between the First and the Second Interchanges on Shaikh Zayed Road, revealed the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
"The two new toll gates will be operational from September 9 this year," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA. Motorists will be charged once if they pass through two Salik gates including the new one near the Second Interchange (Safa Park interchange) and the existing one at Barsha on Shaikh Zayed Road, in one journey.
"Installation of the new toll gates comes as part of the second phase of Salik system to regulate traffic on Dubai Roads," said Al Tayer.
The RTA installed in July 2007 two Salik toll gate including one each at Al Garhoud Bridge and the Al Barsha (near Mall of the Emirates) on Shaikh Zayed Road in a bid to ease traffic congestion on the busiest highway in the city. A motorist has to pay Dh4 for passing through the toll gate every time. However, maximum charge of using Salik a day for a motorist is Dh24.
Al Tayer said: "Salik is a part of integrated solutions that aim to reduce traffic. These solutions comprise roads projects and infrastructure; metro systems; public transport and marine transport apart from several traffic policies that encourage the use of public transport to reduce traffic jam in Dubai. Salik is an effective tool to reduce the usage of private cars".
Al Tayer said the new phase of Salik project comes after a comprehensive study of the first phase and especially after the opening of the new Al Garhoud Bridge.
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The study focused on the traffic jams at some major roads in Dubai and alternatives routes that can resolve this issue.
The study also highlighted the success of the first phase in reducing traffic at toll areas by 25 per cent and lowered the duration of the journey on Shaikh Zayed Road by 50 per cent and increased the average speed from 40 to 80 km/hour.
"The study highly recommended the need to introduce new Salik gates on the congested roads and the need to redistribute traffic on major roads and the Dubai Creek crossings," said Al Tayer.
Internal roads choked
He noted Al Maktoum Bridge witnesses heavy congestions during peak hours while the parallel roads and bridges like Business Bay Crossing, Al Garhoud Bridge and Emirates Road are occupied only to 70 per cent of its capacity.
He said some motorists avoid crossing under Al Barsha gate by using internal roads that lead to congestions at Al Barsha and Al Sufouh areas and caused nuisance to residents in the area.
"The only solution to resolve this issue is by installing new toll gate after Al Safa Bridge on Shaikh Zayed Road with toll charges to be deducted only once for each journey from Al Safa to Al Barsha gate and vice versa," he explained.
He said that the study emphasiSed the importance of installing new toll gates on Al Maktoum Bridge in order to reduce congestions on the bridge, and to decrease traffic gridlocks in Deira and to benefit from the new Garhoud bridge and Business Bay Crossing.
Al Tayer said that construction on the new road projects in Deira which will lead to the alternative routes will be finalised before the new Salik toll gates are activated.
Keep in mind alternate routes
Salik tarif
Do you think more toll gates will help ease congestion? Why? How will this affect your budget and daily commute? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.
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