Like much of the Spanish architect's work, Santiago Calatrava's Peace Bridge elicited strong reactions when it was built. While some questioned whether the now-iconic structure was even needed, others would target the bridge's purportedly high price tag and lengthy construction delays. But its single span design and striking red colour – departing from Calatrava's typical asymmetry and white palette – would earn the piece of civic infrastructure global recognition. Azure Magazine named it one of the top ten projects of 2012, while Dezeen commended the bridge for its contributions to public space. 

Early draft of the Peace Bridge, image via Santiago Calatrava

City staff proposed the pedestrian and cyclist crossing in spring 2008. Connecting the Bow River pathways on on the north and south sides, and knitting the downtown and Sunnyside communities together, the bridge was eyed for completion in 2010 after it was approved by council in a narrow 7-6 vote that September. Despite attempts from some local politicians to halt work on the bridge, the City signed the contract with Calatrava in December. 

The temporary structure set up to assemble the bridge, image by Judith Umbach via Calgary Public Library

In July of the following year, a 12-3 council vote would bestow the name 'Peace Bridge' on the crossing in honour of the military. Its design would be unveiled in July 2009, with Calatrava calling it "the most accessible, functional and technically challenging" bridge he had designed. It ticked the boxes established by the City, particularly with regard to the absence of piers in the water, which minimizes the ecological footprint of the project, and the low height, which avoids conflicts with the City/Bow River Heliport. 

Assembling the bridge in October 2010, image by Judith Umbach via Calgary Public Library

Construction began in early 2010, just months before it was originally scheduled for opening. A temporary formwork structure was assembled upstream from the bridge location, where the tubular bridge would be pieced together after major manufacturing in Spain. The bridge began its assembly in fall 2010 and then passed its promised opening date, with the City pushing it back to June 2011. Additional problems would arise when multiple welds failed quality standards, and the public christening was once again postponed, this time to early 2012.

Fastening the pieces together in October 2010, image by Judith Umbach via Calgary Public Library

The assembled bridge subsequently moved to its final resting place in November 2011, and opened on March 24, 2012. Spring traffic counts immediately showed over 6,000 people utilizing the bridge every day, surpassing initial projections laid out by the City. Perhaps a victim of its own success, the glass envelope of the helical steel structure has been vandalized a number of times since its opening. 

Calgary's Peace Bridge, image by Flickr user Bluesky251

The Peace Bridge turned five this year. Despite all the growing pains that accompanied the construction of this signature showpiece, the exalted bridge is a source of pride for many Calgarians, and a continual fountainhead of inspiration for architects working in the city.