'the peace bridge', calgary by santiago calatrava


nestled between the banks of the bow, just west of prince's island park, calgary is
the peace bridge, being built to accommodate the increasing number of people
commuting to and from work and those who simply want to enjoy the city's pathways.

last week the city of calgary issued a news release stating the 24.5 CAD million bridge
designed by spanish architect santiago calatrava will not be completed until late january 2011.
originally city officials had said the bridge, designed for pedestrians and cyclists, would be open
for use by october.

'the contractor (now) fully realizes the complexity of assembling that structure will put
a huge demand on their time and effort,' jadwiga kroman, the city’s project manager for
the bridge, said of the delay.

calatrava’s elaborate bridges and buildings have proven notorious for coming in late
and over budget. but kroman said based on current projections, the calgary’s peace
bridge remains on budget.

the bridge’s tubular form is a successful design solution as it could not have piers in the riverbed
or vertical elements. 'seemingly simplistic at first glance, the peace bridge is a highly
technical bridge,' calatrava stated.

construction began on the bridge site in march and continues as parts of the bridge are being
shipped in from spain. read more.



the bridge will be built with a glass shell to accommodate all seasons






sections of the bridge delivered from spain
photo by corbin-hillman communications



photo by corbin-hillman communications



photo by corbin-hillman communications