Jim Stynes Bridge Unveiled

The long-awaited Jim Stynes Bridge was officially opened last month, connecting Northbank to Docklands.

Named after late footballer Jim Stynes, who passed away in 2012 following a battle with cancer, the 120-metre, $15 million bridge extends under the Charles Grimes Bridge.

Originally from Ireland, Mr Stynes won a Brownlow medal with the Melbourne Football Club and went on to become president of the Demons and co-founder of the youth-focused Reach Foundation.

Members of Mr Stynes family, players from the Melbourne Football Club and members of the Reach Foundation joined Planning Minister Matthew Guy and Lord Mayor Robert Doyle at the opening.

“I am delighted to open the new Jim Stynes Bridge, a fitting tribute to this outstanding man, footballer and philanthropist,” Mr Guy said. “This bridge ensures that Jim’s work is alive in the hearts and minds of all Melburnians.”

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle agreed, saying the bridge would serve as a reminder of the contributions Mr Stynes made to the city.

“Jim Stynes represented the quintessential Melbourne story, a migrant made good,” Cr Doyle said.

“The story of his settling in Melbourne, his outstanding AFL career, his philanthropy and charity work, and his brave fight against cancer touched us all and I am proud to join the Minister and Jim’s family in opening the bridge in his honour today,” he said.

The bridge was designed by a consortium led by the Aurecon Group in partnership with Cox Architecture and Oculus Landscape Architects.

It’s designed to appear as if it is hovering over the river and is intended to become the centrepiece of the $25 million redevelopment of the Northbank precinct.

Mr Stynes will be remembered not only through the bridge’s name but also by bronze plaques at both ends of the bridge detailing his football career and work with the Reach Foundation.