The bridge, near Magnet St and the mouth of the Leith, would link the West Harbour cycle-walkway with a Dunedin City Council-funded extension to the inner-harbour walkway.
Regional councillors will consider the proposal at the council's policy committee meeting today. Regional council policy director Fraser McRae said the idea arose from the regional council's wish for a project to commemorate World War 1.
Talks with the city council highlighted the bridge opportunity, which also fitted in with the regional council's responsibility for managing and providing walking and cycling facilities, he said.
The regional council had constructed the city centre inner harbour path and the first stage of the shared path between Magnet St and Ravensbourne.
Earlier this year, the city council discarded the walking bridge option in favour of a less costly and indirect route, using the road bridge, but noted it did not preclude a new bridge.
The city council had estimated a single-span cable-stay suspension bridge would cost $2.5 million, while a three-span bridge would cost between $1 million and $1.5 million, plus $300,000 to $500,000 to build the approaches and ancillary works.
The project would need to be in next year's annual plan.
Council transport manager Jane Turnbull, in a council report, said the bridge would be a suitable commemorative project, as an information panel and seats could be placed on a grassed area on the western bank of the Leith.
The bridge could also incorporate architectural design to ''evoke memories of World War 1'' and/or celebrate peace.
