Stephen Gauthier Presenting at the 2025 Statewide Conference on Local Bridges in Saratoga Springs, NY
LaBella’s Senior Structural Engineer Stephen Gauthier, PE, will be speaking at the 2025 Statewide Conference on Local Bridges, taking place October 22-23, 2025, in Saratoga Springs, New York. Hosted by Cornell University in partnership with the New York State Department of Transportation Structures Division, this event is the largest conference in New York State focused on bridge issues for local governments. It provides resources and expertise to county, city, town, and village highway officials from across the state, as well as to consultants, contractors, and suppliers involved in maintaining and rehabilitating local bridges.
On Wednesday, October 22, at 2:45 p.m., Stephen will present “Emergency Response and Replacement of the CR 26 Bridge Over the Genesee River” alongside Thomas Windus, PE, Superintendent of the Allegany County Department of Public Works. Following a critical structural failure of the CR 26 Bridge, LaBella and Allegany County led an emergency effort to assess, close, and demolish the bridge in accordance with New York State Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration protocols.
This case study highlights the collaboration and technical innovation required to restore vital infrastructure under emergency circumstances. Stephen and Thomas will discuss how rapid engineering response, abutment monitoring, and slope stability analysis informed key decisions and how those findings guided the design of a resilient replacement: a three-span continuous steel multi-girder bridge founded on deep piles to address challenging geotechnical conditions.