Millions hit in wallet as Salik expanded

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ROAD TOLL: The RTA said it is expanding its Salik road toll scheme, adding an additional two gates. (Getty Images)

Millions of motorists will have to fork out more money to drive in Dubai after the transport authority announced an expansion to the unpopular Salik road toll scheme.

The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) said on Tuesday it was adding an extra two toll gates - one on Sheikh Zayed Road at the Al Safa Park Bridge and the other on Al Maktoum Bridge - bringing the total number of toll gates to four.

Currently there are toll gates on Al Garhoud Bridge and on Sheikh Zayed Road opposite Mall of the Emirates.

The new gates will go live from September 9, the RTA said.

The RTA has been dogged by talk of a massive expansion to Salik ever since the scheme was launched in July last year.

Media reports have claimed there are plans to introduction additional toll gates on Emirates Road, Al Khail Road, Al Ittihad Road, Shindagha Tunnel, Business Bay Crossing and Maktoum Bridge by 2009, and on the yet-to-be-built Shindagha Bridge and a fifth bridge spanning Dubai Creek by 2010.

Motorists are charged 4 dirhams ($1.1) each time they pass through the toll gates, paying a maximum of 24 dirhams in any one day.

The RTA said motorists passing through Al Safa and the gate opposite Mall of the Emirates would be charged a toll fee of 4 dirhams once if they pass the two gates in the same journey.

The authority said the gates were being installed to reduce congestion caused by motorists trying to avoid the toll gates opposite Mall of the Emirates and on Al Garhoud Bridge.

The RTA said the first phase of Salik had reduced traffic at toll areas by 25%, and lowered journey times on Sheikh Zayed Road by 50% and increased average speeds from 40 to 80 km/h.

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