SAMIHAH ZAMAN (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi is set to activate two new round-the-clock Darb toll gates on Monday as part of an initiative to improve the efficiency of road networks in the capital.
The gates, which will be the first in Abu Dhabi to operate 24 hours a day, were announced by the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) in May. They will supplement the four existing toll gates in the city, which charge motorists only during peak-hour travel.
The Al Qurm Toll Gate, located on Wahat Al Karama Street, sits at the entrance to Sheikh Zayed Street, while the Ghantout Toll Gate is positioned on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street in Ghantoot.
Motorists will pay Dh4 per crossing, as per the standard toll rate in Abu Dhabi.
In line with the emirate's toll system, several categories of motorists will continue to be exempt from paying tolls for a single registered vehicle, including senior citizens, people of determination, retired citizens, and low-income citizens.
Alternative Routes
Abu Dhabi Mobility, an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has also announced alternative routes for motorists looking to avoid the tolls.
Drivers can use Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Street or Khaleej Al Arabi Street to bypass the Al Qurm Toll Gate when travelling to and from downtown Abu Dhabi.
To avoid the Ghantout Toll Gate, motorists may opt for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Street.
Other Toll Gates
The capital city has four other toll gates located across the four major bridges connecting Abu Dhabi island to the mainland.
These include Al Maqta' Toll Gate on Al Maqta' Bridge, Rabdan Toll Gate on Musaffah Bridge, Sas Al Nakhl Toll Gate on Sheikh Zayed Bridge, and Al Saadiyat Toll Gate on Sheikh Khalifa Bridge.
Operational since 2021, the toll gates charge motorists only during rush hour traffic in the morning between 7am and 9am, and in the evening between 3 pm to 7 pm.
All Darb toll gates in Abu Dhabi are operated by Q-Mobility, a transport solutions provider owned by sovereign investor ADQ.
Speaking to Aletihad, motorists said they are evaluating alternate routes that can be used during their daily commute.
"I will be coming to Abu Dhabi's Yas Island for work three times a week, and will likely look into trying out the toll-free routes," said Rana Hossam, a PR consultant who lives in Dubai.
Another engineer who works in KEZAD said he will continue with his current commute.
"I pay Dh8 a day travelling to and from work via Sheikh Khalifa Bridge, but this is the quickest and easiest trip for me. So I do not believe I will be making any changes, especially since the new tolls are expected to reduce congestion on the roads," he said.