Peace Bridge | 131 Meter Span | Completed

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by You Need A Thneed

The plans for the Peace bridge called for Granite (removable granite tiles - so that underneath could be accessed) on the walking lanes and asphalt for the biking lanes.

There's lots of cheaper materials that could be subsituted for the granite, and look 95% as good, if not every bit as good.

There's always lino

[You Need A Thneed]

Originally Posted by Ramsayfarian

There's always lino

or VCT.

[Innersoul1]

Originally Posted by max0442

granite and snow? ... smooth ...

Unfortunately, when most think of granite they think of smooth countertops. Raw granite is actually quite rough. This sink will give you a good idea.

[bluewaterandsunshine]

The only thing that really frustrates me is how Calatrava is being attacked.

Santiago (yes, we are on a first-name basis LOL) was asked to design the bridge. He did not make any incantations or charmed or used the Imperius Curse on Calgary public officials. Why should he be mocked? I am not talking about design criticisms -- we are all entitled to our own opinions and design inclinations. I am talking about those sarcastic comments intended for and aimed at Mr Calatrava and his character.

I think Calgary City Hall was remiss on not having the design competition. It seems this is what the majority of those who oppose the bridge are angry about. But I think the city hall officials meant well. The people who proposed and made this bridge possible meant well. They wanted to have a landmark bridge, albeit they had a rather dubious process.

Just thinking out loud.

[Policy Wonk]

nevermind

[Policy Wonk]

Originally Posted by bluewaterandsunshine

It seems this is what the majority of those who oppose the bridge are angry about.

I think the objection is to the perceived excess - i'm sure a no-bid contract to build something like this (a pre-cast concrete bridge assembled in Sherbrooke) at any cost would not have received much interest.



I personally think the Calatrava bridge looks stupid and is unlikely to be maintained at a level that will preserve its appearance - but I don't particularly object to how it came about or how the project was awarded.

[O-tacular]

Well, the thing with these personal attacks on Calatrava is that they are coming mainly from disreputable sources to begin with. Rick "the dinger" Bell isn't exactly known for his brand of objective, responsible journalism. That and there are plenty of xenophobic hicks who think anyone european must be snobby, rich, and outlandish. Besides them, I think most Calgarians either don;t care or simply protest the perceived "excessive" cost. Myself, I love the bridge but dislike the political name chosen.

[Wooster]

Good news:

Peace Bridge will fall within budget

Minor changes made to keep spending on track

By Jason Markusoff, Calgary Herald November 20, 2009

City officials have reached a deal with a Calgary construction firm to build the downtown Peace Bridge within the project’s budget, a city spokesman said Friday.

The two sides agreed to replace the pedestrian crossing’s granite walkway with a concrete one, and made some minor techinical changes to bring Graham Infrastructure’s low bid $5,000 under the $18-million budget, rather than its initially projected overrun of $2.5 million, spokesman David Danchuk said.

Reports this week of the project’s budget pressures became the latest snag for a bridge whose cost, need, celebrity architect and unusual design have all stoked controversy.

However, both the New York office of designer Santiago Calatrava and the project’s likely lead contractor, Graham Infrastructure, have said the necessary cost savings wouldn’t affect the bridge’s look or quality.

Work on the bridge’s twisting, red steel frame will begin this December, and it will be open to cyclists and pedestrians next fall, according to the city’s transportation infrastructure department.

jmarkusoff@theherald.canwest.com

© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

SSP COMMENT SECTION JIHAD!!! (Have your opinion heard, fight for urbanism in Calgary)
Link:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/enterta...051/story.html

[bob1954]

Nice to here it's under budget. I hope I'm wrong, but Ireally don't think it'll add that much to that area other than a physical presence. 6 months out of the year it probably won't see that much ped traffic anyway.

[jeffwhit]

^^based on what? I take the existing bridge every day and it's got heavy traffic every single day.

During festivals the new bridge is going to come in very handy.

[bob1954]

Even in winter?

[jeffwhit]

^^Yep.

[CorporateWhore]

Why would people, who take the various bridges to get to work downtown, somehow cease using them because it's no longer warm out? Do they not have to work when it's cold? The last time I checked, Calgarians weren't a bunch of pansy-waists.

[bob1954]

"Jeffwhit": You sir are a true urban dweller! You could be a Chicagoan...

[fusili]

I wonder what the breakdown of the reasons people who walk to work would be? I would imagine quite a bit are for parking purposes or because they live close enough. It would be interesting to see what the seasonal variation is.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by CorporateWhore

The last time I checked, Calgarians weren't a bunch of pansy-waists.

Only when we get an inch of snow on the roads.

[lubicon]

OT and not directly bridge related, but rumors in Edmonton are mentioning Calatrava as a possible architect for their new arena.

[kw5150]

Originally Posted by bob1954

Nice to here it's under budget. I hope I'm wrong, but Ireally don't think it'll add that much to that area other than a physical presence. 6 months out of the year it probably won't see that much ped traffic anyway.

For the last two years I have been going out with friends and walking to the city core to find a new restaurant and do some shopping or grab a coffee. I have really learned to enjoy my city. I walk to the city centre from mount pleasant almost every weekend to enjoy my city. I will use it as well. I will take it in the summer to avoid that crazy bridge under the LRT line.

[Calgarian]

So when is construction supposed to start? I'm sure the steel work is underway or will be shortly, but what about the site work?

[RiverRat]

Another nice thing about this bridge will be its proximity to the Plus 15 system.

Once Centenial Place is done, a person will only have to walk two or three blocks after crossing the bridge to get indoors.

So yeah, I could see this bridge getting a lot of use in the winter.