Work to start on Al Ittihad Bridge in 2014

A striking AED 1.1 billion (£196 million) bridge that will link some of the most popular parts of Dubai is set to be built.

Vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has given the green light for work to start on the Al Ittihad Bridge.

The 12-lane structure will replace a floating bridge and will join Dubai Creek Park in Bur Dubai with Deira City Centre.

Speaking to Gulf News, chairman of the board and executive director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Mattar Al Tayer said: "The 12-lane bridge will include six lanes and a pedestrian crossing in each direction.

"The bridge's width will be more than 61 metres and its height will be 15 metres. An inverted arc with a height of 100 metres will also be built over the bridge."

Work is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2014 and the project should take around three years to complete. Once it is up and running, it will be capable of accommodating 24,000 vehicles per hour.

It is hoped the imposing new bridge will slash the amount of traffic clogging up the city's roads.

Shaikh Mohammad praised the RTA for coming up with innovative plans to reduce congestion throughout the emirate and thinks the structure will be aesthetically pleasing.

Dubai's population continues to rise at a rapid rate and this has inevitably led to a sharp increase in the number of cars being used on the roads.

The government is keen to encourage more people to utilise public transport and a number of initiatives have been launched in order to make buses, trains and water taxis more accessible.

Last month, the same news provider revealed that plans to extend the Red Line on the Dubai Metro could be brought forward if the city is successful in its bid for the World Expo 2020.

The RTA hopes to expand the route so it stretches to Dubai World Central Airport and the project will cost in the region of AED 5 billion.