First toll gate installed near Garhoud Bridge

Dubai: The toll gate that will charge motorists when they cross Garhoud Bridge going towards Sharjah has been installed by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority.

The RTA is currently installing a second toll gate at the bridge for those travelling in the opposite direction.

And toll gates are also being introduced close to Interchange Four of Shaikh Zayed Road near Mall of the Emirates, ready for the system to go live on July 1.

Once the system, which is called Salik, is activated, motorists will have to pay Dh4 each time they pass through a toll gate.

Tags to go on sale

The toll gates will be tested before July 1 to ensure that they work properly, Maitha Obaid Bin Udai, chief executive of the Traffic and Roads Agency at Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, said yesterday.

Salik tags will go on sale this week, Maitha added, with the system able to deduct the appropriate amount from the sensor cards. The RTA hopes that, by charging motorists to use key roads, drivers will be encouraged to car pool, use alternative routes and switch to public transport, thereby alleviating congestion problems.

A fine of Dh100 will be levied on those passing through a toll gate without having a Salik tag, while passing a toll gate with insufficient credit attracts a fine of Dh50.

However, last week Gulf News revealed that motorists who pass through the activated toll gate before getting Salik tags will be able to register within two days to avoid a fine.

Similarly, motorists who pass through a toll gate without enough credit on their card will have the fine waived if they replenish the card within two days.