An iconic Calgary landmark has been damaged again.
Department 7 count. Terry Wong says vandals broke about 40 of the glass side panels of the Peace Bridge over the Bow River this weekend, 80 percent of the total side panels.
“We have witnesses and bystanders who told us exactly when and how, so we sent that to Calgary police,” Wong told CTV News on Sunday.
Police say witnesses reported the act of vandalism was carried out by a man in his 40s who used a hammer, rebar and bricks to break the glass. He reportedly walked across the bridge, starting on the southwest side and pushing a shopping cart with him.
Responding officers saw the suspect throw the shopping card into the river and run away, but were unable to apprehend him.
“We need to restore the bridge back to its aesthetic beauty,” Wong said.
The bridge, built a decade ago in 2012, has been so frequently vandalized that city officials recently launched a new campaign aimed at reducing intentional damage to the structure.
According to city officials, an average of six panels break each year, and it costs about $80,000 a year to remove and replace the broken panels. This does not include the cost of the panels themselves, as the city is using replacement panels provided when the bridge was originally built.
Damage to the glass panels of Calgary’s iconic Peace Bridge. Wong says the city is exploring the possibility of using alternative materials other than glass for the Peace Bridge panels.
“Three weeks ago (the city) started doing a study with a consultant to look at different materials for the side panels themselves and we hope to bring that back to council very soon.
“It is unfortunate that people have decided to destroy a public amenity like this.
Anyone who witnesses vandalism on the Peace Bridge is asked to call 911.
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