Staff Report / June 23, 2026
CORNING – Motorists traveling through downtown Corning should plan for a temporary road closure later this week as city officials conduct annual flood preparedness training. The City of Corning announced that the Bridge Street Bridge will be closed on Friday, June 26, to allow crews to carry out the city’s yearly Flood Stop Log Installation Training exercise. The closure is scheduled to begin at 4 a.m. and is expected to remain in effect until approximately 11 a.m. as crews practice installing the flood protection system.
City officials said the annual training is an important component of Corning’s flood preparedness efforts, ensuring that personnel are familiar with the procedures used to deploy flood barriers in the event of rising water along the Chemung River. The training allows emergency crews and public works employees to rehearse the installation process under controlled conditions so they can respond quickly during actual flood emergencies. Corning’s flood protection system was developed following the devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Agnes in 1972, which inundated large portions of the city.
Key details regarding the closure include:
- The Bridge Street Bridge will be closed on Friday, June 26.
- The closure will run from 4 a.m. until approximately 11 a.m.
- The closure is necessary for annual Flood Stop Log Installation Training.
- Motorists should expect detours and seek alternate routes during the closure.
- The training is designed to prepare city personnel for future flood events.
Officials are encouraging residents and commuters to plan ahead and allow extra travel time while the bridge is closed. The annual exercise is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to maintain readiness and ensure flood protection measures can be deployed efficiently when needed.
