RTA separates link between two Dubai Salik gates from today

In a move to reroute traffic flow and reduce the pressure on the SZR, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has separated the link between two the Salik toll gates at Al Safa and Al Barsha such that the toll will be charged every time a vehicle passes under each toll gate starting from Feb 19^.
RTA has taken this step out of its commitment to resetting the traffic flow on main roads and keeping the Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR) as an express traffic corridor that meets the needs of road users, international firms and businesspersons intending to reach their destination quickly, especially as the SZR is well served by mass transit means.
Besides the Dubai Metro Red Line stretching 52 km covering 28 stations, including two interchange stations with the Green Line, the SZR is also served by public buses where 156 buses shuttle on 12 routes completing 1400 journeys per day.
Separating the link between the two tollgates has been decided following 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 step also comes in the aftermath of the opening, by Abu Dhabi Government, of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road; which connects with the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road at Seih Shoaib at the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. This new 62 km-long traffic corridor serves the incoming traffic from the capital Abu Dhabi, passing through Dubai, and heading towards Sharjah and other Emirates. So the separation of the tollgates will contribute to directing the transit traffic movement to Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road. This step is also part of RTA's endeavours to ease the congestion on the SZR.