UAE | Traffic and Transport

Second phase of Salik takes its toll

Traffic congestion was at its worst on Tuesday in the emirate, especially at key road exits, a senior police official said.

  • By Alia Al Theeb and Wafa Issa, Staff Reporters
  • Published: 23:25 September 9, 2008
  • Gulf News

Dubai: Traffic congestion was at its worst on Tuesday in the emirate, especially at key road exits, a senior police official said.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Tuesday started operating the second phase of the Toll Gates System (Salik) on Al Maktoum Bridge and at Al Safa.

The first phase of the system covered two gates, on Al Garhoud Bridge and Al Barsha on Shaikh Zayed Road, which became operational in July 2007.

Lieutenant Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Acting Director of Dubai Police's Traffic Department, said almost all the roads witnessed heavy traffic congestion and motorists got stuck for hours.

He said the number of traffic police patrols and motorcycles were increased to cope with the large numbers of cars at exits such as Defence Roundabout Bridge, Al Barsha and Al Qouz Industrial areas.

"Yesterday was the worst day in terms of traffic on the roads because many motorists got stuck for hours and children whose schools are located in Al Wasl and Al Qouz could not reach their schools until 10am or later," Lt Col Al Mazroui said.

He said traffic police have also reported a large number of traffic offences and minor accidents.

"The alternative routes, especially the exits cannot accommodate the extra load of vehicles. Emirates Road was blocked in both directions and trucks had to pull over to the side of the road in an attempt to reduce congestion," Lt Col Al Mazroui said. Shindagha Tunnel, Al Khail Road, Floating Bridge and Al Wasl Road also witnessed heavy traffic and long tailbacks.

Chaotic scenes

Other roads across Dubai and Sharjah also faced heavy traffic. The trip to work was extended by about an hour for many commuters as motorists tried to avoid the new toll gates.

It took some motorists more than two-and- half hours to reach Shaikh Zayed Road from Al Khan area in Sharjah via Al Maktoum Bridge.

On Al Ittihad Road, heading from Sharjah to Dubai and till the Dnata traffic signal in Deira, motorists faced heavily congested roads, but in an unusual sight the traffic was very smooth at the Clock Roundabout and on Al Maktoum Bridge as commuters used the Floating Bridge to avoid the toll.

Some commuters said it took them more than 40 minutes to cross the Floating Bridge. On Shaikh Zayed Road, the sight of congested roads was not very different as there was a kilometre-long tailback of cars from the Defence Roundabout Bridge as it was the last free exit before the Al Safa toll gate.

"It took me about an hour to drive from the Trade Centre to the Defence Roundabout exit today. This is unbelievable," said a taxi driver who spent another hour on the kilometre-long road from Deira in a separate trip.

The traffic came to a standstill from Al Khail Road to the Al Safa interchange yesterday morning.

The traffic also snarled on the usually free Sharjah-Dubai Bypass Road.

Did you use the new Salik toll gates? Were you delayed due to a traffic jam? Do you think toll gates in general can improve traffic flow? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com fill in the form bellow to send your comments.


Your comments


Despite using Al Maktoum Bridge and paying Salik fees, I was stuck at the City Centre interchange for almost an hour due to tailbacks from the Deira areas and floating bridge.
Nasra
Dubai,U.A.E.
Posted: September 10, 2008, 09:44

I think RTA is not transparent enough in their plans, they have started the toll gates early, they should have had the metro up and running before these gates. Also Maybe they should shut down the extra gates and reconsider starting it up later when they have enough alternative routes. What is the point of all the statistics they put out if they do not use it?
L
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 10, 2008, 09:06

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