Peace Bridge, Pedestrian bridge in Calgary, Canada.
The Peace Bridge is a pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Bow River in Calgary, Alberta. Its structure is a tubular lattice of red steel forming a repeating diamond or crisscross pattern, with white light glowing beneath and through the red framing. The bridge has a continuous low profile, with a top chord, base, and sides all built from this open red lattice. It links downtown Calgary and the southern Bow River pathway with Sunnyside and the northern pathway.
Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava designed this crossing, which opened on March 24, 2012. Its spiral design in steel and glass was realized after years of planning and discussion.
The bridge links both sides of the Bow River and is used daily by walkers, joggers and cyclists. Its colors were chosen to echo the Canadian flag and make it a recognizable landmark in the city center.
Cyclists have a dedicated central lane while pedestrians walk on raised paths on both sides. Around 6,000 people use the crossing daily as part of the Bow River pathway system.
The bridge is nicknamed the "Finger Trap Bridge" because its red steel lattice resembles the woven finger-trap toy. It was assembled on a temporary structure upstream and moved across the Bow River in November 2011. In 2022 damaged glass panels were replaced with steel cables, cutting annual maintenance by about $35,000.
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