Calgary finalizes plan to repair Peace Bridge

The City of Calgary says it’s finalized a plan to repair the Peace Bridge, months after it was heavily damaged by vandalism.

The city says 70 per cent of the glass railing panels on the bridge were shattered in July.

Going forward, the city will be replacing the glass panels with steel tension cables to reduce future maintenance costs and stay true to the original design.

A spokesperson with the City of Calgary says the cost of the renovations to the Peace Bridge will cost around $1 million, which would be the same as repairs for the bridge.

The city previously said it costs roughly $80,000 a year to remove and replace broken panels.

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Santiago Calatrava Architects and Engineers and a local architectural firm are working with the city to make the repairs.

“We want to thank the city and congratulate them for arriving at a solution that respects the architectural language of the Peace Bridge. Again, we are very proud to have realized this beautiful bridge for and with the City of Calgary,” said Spanish-Swiss architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava.

Work to fix the bridge and install the tension cables will begin in spring 2023.

“We know the Peace Bridge is a popular destination for both Calgarians and visitors, so it was important for us to come up with a plan that allows for both an efficient repair but also respects the iconic design of the bridge,” said bridge maintenance manager Charmaine Buhler. “The change in materials from glass to steel allows us to ensure the Peace Bridge remains safe, durable, and easy to maintain in the years to come.”

The city says the bridge will remain open, and an average of 9,000 people use it every day in the summer.

Peace Bridge damage came after anti-vandalism campaign

The vandalism came after the City of Calgary launched an initiative in an attempt to protect the city landmark from more damage.

The city opened a “Vandalism Gallery” on the bridge in June to remind Calgarians of the importance of keeping the bridge intact.

The gallery included several hanging “works of art” that had been defaced in the hopes of reinforcing the fact that the Peace Bridge is not only a bridge, but also a piece of art.

For more information about the Peace Bridge, visit the city’s website.