RTA denies Salik expansion

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Salik was launched July 1 in a bid to ease traffic flows along Sheikh Zayed Road and over Garhoud Bridge. (Getty Images)

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) today denied speculation that it is planning to add more toll gates on the emirate’s roads.

“There have been rumours about a second phase of the road toll tax, but the RTA is not planning to add any more road tolls in Dubai,” an RTA spokesperson told ArabianBusiness.com.

Reports claims that the authority has started work on new toll gates at eight locations in Dubai, including Shindagha Tunnel, Maktoum Bridge, Floating Bridge, Emirates Road, Al-Khail Road, Nad Al-Hamar Road and Business Bay crossing, according to Saudi daily Arab News.

The RTA labelled the reports “inaccurate”.

Since the launch the RTA’s first road toll, Salik, speculation has been rife that the authority is planning to expand the scheme in other areas of Dubai.

Salik was launched July 1 in a bid to ease traffic flows along Sheikh Zayed Road and over Garhoud Bridge.

However, the scheme has been heavily criticised for making congestion even worse in other areas of Dubai, especially around Deira and Bur Dubai, as motorists take alternative routes to avoid paying the toll.

Drivers have to pay 4 dirhams ($1.1) each time they pass through the toll gates located on Garhoud Bridge and Sheikh Zayed Road next to Mall of the Emirates.

The RTA is also taking steps to reduce gridlock on Emirates Road, which runs along the outskirts of the city.

The authority announced on Tuesday it had completed the first phase of a project to widening the road from three to six lines in each direction.

The new road is set to be open to drivers as of August 31.

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