paul mallett advocates for a City Bridge designed to solve transport problems while strengthening the social fabric of the city. For too long, the Tamar’s old bridges have carried more than they were built for. Congestion has grown, emergency vehicles have been delayed, and growth on both sides of the river has been constrained by cautious, outdated infrastructure.

A new City Bridge would change that trajectory. Designed with wide, separated paths for walking and cycling, lookouts, and places to pause, it would make crossing the river safer and calmer for everyone. Its sweeping arc of steel and light would reconnect the city’s edges, creating a crossing that feels welcoming and purposeful. A future-proofed lane reserved for light rail would keep options open as the city grows, avoiding costly retrofits and allowing mobility to evolve with need.

By day, the bridge would move workers, students, families, cyclists, buses, and freight efficiently. By dusk, solar trees would gather sunlight and release it as gentle colour and story along the span, creating a daily civic ritual for residents and visitors. Walk-on-water glass panels and etched artworks would turn the bridge into a public gallery, strengthening identity and pride.

The aim is simple: a second Tamar crossing that solves congestion, improves safety, supports growth, and gives Launceston a shared landmark to believe in.

Let’s build the bridge that connects lives as well as lanes, including:

1. A landmark arc of steel and light

The bridge would be designed as an elegant, recognisable civic landmark that connects the city’s current centre to the edges it has long overlooked. Its profile and lighting would establish a new visual identity for the Tamar.

2. Solar trees and stories-in-light

Solar collectors mounted as sculptural “trees” would gather energy by day and release colour and light at night. The bridge would become a predictable daily gathering point at dusk, strengthening social life and creating a new civic ritual.

3. A visitor-economy anchor

The bridge’s distinct design, night-time light shows, and water-level viewpoints would attract visitors, media coverage, and ongoing promotion for the Tamar region without paid advertising.

4. Walk-on-water glass and etched artworks

A separated pedestrian gallery would include glass viewing panels and artworks etched into the walkway, creating a public gallery that shares stories, culture, and identity.

5. A future-proofed light-rail lane

A reserved alignment for future light rail would ensure adaptability as the city grows, avoiding expensive retrofits and keeping long-term transport options open.

6. Multi-modal design

The bridge would support safe active transport, efficient freight movement, and clean-energy buses and electric vehicles. Movement would be separated to maximise safety and reliability.

7. Protected active-transport corridor

A wide, dedicated path with safe separation from traffic would include lookouts and rest points. This would support a significant shift toward walking and cycling by making the experience safe, calm, and appealing.

8. Suicide-deterrent safety rails

The design would incorporate human-centred safety barriers that reduce risk without compromising aesthetics or the user experience. Prevention would be built in quietly and respectfully.