Work on the US$817 million (S$1.2 billion) bridge will begin in March and is due for completion in 2012.

The English language Khaleej Times said that the 1,600 metre bridge would include an arch 205 metres high and 667 metres long - bigger than the 550 metre long arch in the 3,900 metre Lupu Bridge in Shanghai, the world longest bridge.

The planned 12-lane bridge, which will also carry a line from a planned metro network, will cross a creek separating the Bur Dubai and Deira areas of the wealthy city-state.

The design of the bridge was inspired by the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and will even run close to a planned opera house similiar to the one located in the Australian city, the Emirates Business 24/7 daily reported.

Construction of the world's tallest tower is already well underway in Dubai, which is one seven emirates that makes up the UAE federation.

Burj Dubai is still being built but it overtook Taiwan's Taipei 101 tower as the world's tallest building when it reached 512 metres in June last year. Its eventual height remains a closely guarded secret. -- AFP