In an effort to reduce traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will delink Al Safa & Al Barsha Salik gates; this means motorist will be charged separately, every time they cross either one of them. This change will take effect from 19 Feb 2017.
The objective of this change is to keep Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR) as an express motorway for motorists, to which there is an added associated cost. Separating the link between the two tollgates is a follow up to an extensive study and assessment of the current traffic situation on the SZR. It also comes at a time where the RTA has finalized the improvement of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road marked by the opening of Al Houdh Interchange between the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Yalayes Road.
The change also comes after the opening of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road by Abu Dhabi Government; which connects with the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road at Seih Shoaib at the outskirts of the capital. This new 62 km-long highway serves incoming traffic from the capital city, passing through Dubai, and heading towards Sharjah and other Northern Emirates. The delinking of the Salik gates will contribute to redirecting some portion of the traffic to Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road.
Source: Khaleej Times
