Mussafah bridge toll gate relocated in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi - Transport officials on Monday explained to community members why the toll gates are necessary.

The Musaffah Bridge toll gate in Abu Dhabi was moved by 15 to 20 metres on Monday, blocking the only way that would allow motorists to avoid paying the upcoming fees.
With the initial position, motorists could take an exit just before the toll gate towards Bawabat Abu Dhabi Street and then drive on the main road of Khaleej Al Arabi Street. Now, the gate covers the exit.
Faisal T., a marketing executive at a private company, was one of those who noticed the loophole. "I was keenly following the positioning. This irons out the only chink in the four toll gates raised on all the four bridges," he said.
"However, we have time till New year to start paying the fee."
Earlier on Sunday, the DoT had clarified that even as toll gate will be implemented from Tuesday, motorists will not be charged until January 1, 2020.
Community meet
Transport officials on Monday explained to community members why the toll gates are necessary. There was a need to check the growing problem of traffic congestion, a top official from the Department of Transport-Abu Dhabi said during at the Mohammed Khalaf Majlis.
Ibrahim Sarhan Al Hamoudi, acting executive director at the DoT, noted that by end of 2018, there were 1.1 million registered vehicles in Abu Dhabi.
"It's just too many vehicles on the roads. This has resulted in too much of traffic in Abu Dhabi. Toll gates will help reduce the traffic on the roads by eight per cent. This will have positive impact on the environment, too," Al Hamoudi said.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi