Which river does Calgary's Peace Bridge cross?

Calgary’s Peace Bridge crosses the Bow River.

Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the pedestrian and cycling bridge connects Calgary’s downtown-side pathway system with the northern pathway network and the community of Sunnyside. Construction began in 2010, and the bridge opened to the public on 24 March 2012.

Its distinctive structure is a helical, double-helix tubular truss made principally from steel, with a glass roof and reinforced-concrete deck and abutments. The bridge has no piers in the river, a requirement intended to reduce ecological impacts and help it withstand flooding. Its red-and-white color scheme departs from Calatrava’s more familiar white structures and echoes both the Canadian and Calgary flags.

The Peace Bridge is reserved for people walking and cycling, with separated pedestrian and bicycle lanes. It is often confused with Calgary’s other crossings or with bridges on rivers elsewhere in Alberta, such as the North Saskatchewan and Red Deer. The Bow River is the defining geographic feature of this bridge and runs through Calgary before joining the South Saskatchewan River.