Peace Bridge | 131 Meter Span | Completed

Bigtime · #1 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 7:28 PM**

On July 28th the city released the renderings for the new "Peace Bridge" designed by Santiago Calatrava.

Credit: Calgary Herald http://www.calgaryherald.com/Gallery...139/story.html

What do you think?

Edit: She's built and open now!

Peace Bridge by Night by BigtimeYYC, on Flickr

Peace Bridge by BigtimeYYC, on Flickr

Calgarian · #2 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 7:29 PM**

I think it's pretty freakin sweet!!

Spring2008 · #3 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 7:31 PM**

First vote in!!!

Think the design/color/uniqueness is worthy of a Love it..

You Need A Thneed · #4 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 7:31 PM**

Me Likey.

oldschoolcalgary · #5 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 7:32 PM**

pretty amazing...and at a 10th of the cost of an traffic interchange that i would use once every 3 months...

let the suburbanites wail; I am tired of paying high taxes living in the inner city and having nothing to show for it.

freeweed · #6 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 8:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

let the suburbanites wail

Count me as one suburbanite who's positively enthralled by it, and will be there on or shortly after opening day to experience it. Believe it or not, we have to have SOMEWHERE to go with our SUVs and sometimes we do bring the Hummer into downtown.

I think this is a perfect balance between style and practicality. I know some of you are disappointed about no arch, no bend, but to be honest I much prefer it this way. Straight and to the point. Wheelchair accessible, and bicycle-friendly. And it doesn't meander all over the damn place trying to look "cool".

A lot of people dislike these fancy bridges for exactly those reasons - they are a pain in the arse because you have to walk twice as far just to get somewhere, or hump over stairs, or what have you. I bet many of the folks complaining about this bridge before would have complained twice as loud if this sucker had a huge bend in the middle - so hopefully this wins over a few more fans.

I also like how it ties in with what seems to be Calgary's colours. A nice bright red is fantastic in a city composed (most months) of brown, brown, and more brown, with the occasional blue-green glass on a highrise. Plus, red against the bright blue of the Bow will look fantastic.

Two thumbs up!

Spring2008 · #7 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 9:02 PM**

^^You make some good points there Freeweed.

CorporateWhore · #8 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 9:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeweed

A nice bright red is fantastic in a city composed (most months) of brown, brown, and more brown, with the occasional blue-green glass on a highrise. Plus, red against the bright blue of the Bow will look fantastic.

Agreed! I've been harping about more color in this city for that exact reason!
I woudn't have minded an all white designer either, but the boost of color is definitely a nice change. If this was a local form doing it, Im sure it would've been diarrhea brown.

oldschoolcalgary · #9 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 9:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeweed

Count me as one suburbanite who's positively enthralled by it, and will be there on or shortly after opening day to experience it. Believe it or not, we have to have SOMEWHERE to go with our SUVs and sometimes we do bring the Hummer into downtown.

I think this is a perfect balance between style and practicality. I know some of you are disappointed about no arch, no bend, but to be honest I much prefer it this way. Straight and to the point. Wheelchair accessible, and bicycle-friendly. And it doesn't meander all over the damn place trying to look "cool".

A lot of people dislike these fancy bridges for exactly those reasons - they are a pain in the arse because you have to walk twice as far just to get somewhere, or hump over stairs, or what have you. I bet many of the folks complaining about this bridge before would have complained twice as loud if this sucker had a huge bend in the middle - so hopefully this wins over a few more fans.

I also like how it ties in with what seems to be Calgary's colours. A nice bright red is fantastic in a city composed (most months) of brown, brown, and more brown, with the occasional blue-green glass on a highrise. Plus, red against the bright blue of the Bow will look fantastic.

Two thumbs up!

sorry, i know that a lot of people on this board do live in the suburbs, but really appreciate architecture as well...my generalization is just that...

i am hopeful that the bridge, once built (knock on wood), will change people's minds...

korzym · #10 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 7:32 PM**

Sucks, and thanks for another hazardous under-bridge corner.

You Need A Thneed · #11 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 10:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by korzym

and thanks for another hazardous under-bridge corner.

looking at all the renderings, it appears that the "under bridge corner" you talk about is on the south side of the river, and likely is intended just as a walking path, since the main biking/walking paths are further south.

Simply not an issue here.

yads · #12 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 7:35 PM**

Looks cool, I'm not sure I'm thrilled with the colours, but it'll be interesting to see it when it's completed.

Wooster · #13 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 7:37 PM**

You know what? Anyone who opposed this bridge will describe how they dislike the design. It could be the greatest thing since the Sydney Opera House and include the second coming of Jesus Christ himself as part of the unveiling and opposers would still say they hate it.

cranium · #14 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 7:48 PM**

Was expecting a curved span of some type and think it would look better if it had one. Having said that .... its good!

Ramsayfarian · #15 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 8:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wooster

You know what? Anyone who opposed this bridge will describe how they dislike the design. It could be the greatest thing since the Sydney Opera House and include the second coming of Jesus Christ himself as part of the unveiling and opposers would still say they hate it.

That can go both ways. This could have looked like a steaming pile of crap and the rabid fanboys would still support it. It's human nature.

Bigtime · #16 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 8:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramsayfarian

That can go both ways. This could have looked like a steaming pile of crap and the rabid fanboys would still support it. It's human nature.

So it's like Leafs fans...

Ramsayfarian · #17 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 8:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime

So it's like Leafs fans...

Exactly... Now the next big hurdle will be budget. This bridge better be on or under budget else Bronc and crew will be hung from the bridge.

nik8063 · #18 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 8:38 PM**

I'm torn, I like it, but it's not what I wanted from a Calatrava bridge.

I'll still be using it every day though.

Distill3d · #19 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 10:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik8063

I'm torn, I like it, but it's not what I wanted from a Calatrava bridge.

I agree. Oddly, though this is also how I feel about The Bow. I like it, but I expected more with it being a Norman Foster and all..

Either rate, its an interesting, innovative, and artistic design. Hopefully it helps bring Calgary into that of a world class city.

Full Mountain · #20 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 7:36 PM**

I voted it's good...I like the idea...but I'll wait to say that I love it till I can stand in/beside it