Dubai's new Salik gates to be solar-powered, easing key road congestion
Both New Salik gates are on schedule to start operating by the end of November, and are poised to enhance traffic flow and decrease congestion on major city roads.
The addition of two new toll gates at Business Bay Crossing on AI Khail road and Al Safa South on Sheikh Zayed Road will bring the total number of Salik gates in Dubai to 10, up from eight.
According to Ibrahim Al Haddad, CEO of Salik, a study by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) found that the new gates will help alleviate traffic congestion and enhance vehicle movement.
He elaborated that the Business Bay Crossing gate would lead to a decrease in traffic congestion on Al Khail Road by 12 to 15 percent and a reduction in traffic volume on Al Rabat Street by 10 to 16 percent.
He went on to say that they aim to enhance traffic flow between Financial Center Street and Meydan Street at Al Safa South gate, decrease right-turn traffic from Sheikh Zayed Road to Meydan Street by 15%, and redirect traffic to First Al Khail Street and Al Asayel Street.
Al Haddad also clarified that the southern gate of Al Safa, known as Al Safa South gate, is a technological solution connected to the already existing northern gate of Al Safa. This implies that travelers only need to make one payment if they go through both the northern and southern Safa gates within one hour.
When is the commencement date for the new toll gates?
Al Haddad assured that the two new gates will be operational by the end of November. "All is proceeding as planned, and we anticipate no delays," he stated, mentioning that RTA and Salik will release a follow-up announcement before operations begin.
We are happy to announce that both new toll gates will be powered almost entirely by solar energy, a first for Salik that we have been working towards for some time. He also mentioned that this aligns with Dubai's ESG objectives and dedication to renewable energy, with our aim to transition all Salik gates to solar power in the coming years, supporting our sustainable growth plan.
Are there any intentions to raise Salik charges?
Al Haddad mentioned that changes to the tariffs are determined by the RTA and must be approved by the Executive Council of Dubai.
The new gates will function in the same manner as the current ones, with the Salik tag being automatically charged the Dh4 fee when going through. At the same time, there will be a connection between Al Safa South gate and the current Al Safa North gate. This means that if vehicles go through both gates in the same direction within an hour, they will only be charged once, just like at Al Mamzar North and South.
Are there plans to install more toll gates in Dubai?
Al Haddad firmly replied that there is no set timetable for the new toll gates, except for the ones that will open in November.
He pointed out that the decision to implement a new toll gate is mainly based on traffic flow and congestion levels, and is determined by the results of technical and traffic evaluations.
The aim is to improve the efficiency of transportation in Dubai and boost traffic flow on the road systems. The growth of tolling systems, such as adding gates, changing toll fees, or using dynamic pricing, is dependent on transport strategy assessments that are regularly reviewed and updated by the RTA. Nonetheless, approval from Dubai's Executive Council would be necessary for any adjustments to toll rates, he clarified.
What is the plan for Salik to cover the costs of the two new gates and how much will it cost?
Al Haddad mentioned that a repayment plan has been agreed upon with RTA for the full valuation of the two new gates, spanning six years beginning in late November 2024.
The yearly payment will be Dh455.7 million, split into two equal payments of Dh227.9 million every six months, funded by the company's own financial reserves.
Al Haddad disclosed that the combined construction cost for the Salik gates is approximately Dh65 million. "He mentioned that as these gates belong to RTA, they will pay us back for the construction at a cost + 10 per cent rate."
Comments