The Peace Bridge was officially launch on 25th June 2011 by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD; EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn; First Minister the Rt. Hon. Peter D Robinson MLA; deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MP MLA; and Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland.  Funded by the European Union’s PEACE III programme (Shared Space initiative), the £14.5m Peace Bridge will be a living landmark and a lasting legacy.

José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission encapsulated the significance of the Peace Bridge when he commented: "The bridge physically links the two banks of the River Foyle, providing a new and exciting shared public space.  Its distinctive form - representing a human handshake across the water - joins all communities living in Derry~Londonderry in a symbolic gesture of reconciliation and peace".