Beyond utility, bridges hold different meaning for different people. Primarily, though, they are an oft-used metaphor for connection and journeys. And that describes TY Lin bridge engineer Karen Cormier’s career perfectly.

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“The majority of bridges I’ve been involved with have been post-tensioned concrete bridges,” Cormier explains. “But this work goes way beyond just design. I quickly learned from my esteemed colleagues the value of the construction engineering support side of things, especially when we’ve done the complete design. The majority of my career has been in construction and design support, rather than the pure design end.”

The colleagues she references are also from TY Lin International, as Cormier has been with the company for nearly 40 years, the only engineering firm she’s ever worked for after receiving her university diploma. She credits TY Lin with providing her the unique opportunity to work on so many different types of bridges in various locations.

From the diminutive freestanding single-span arch Speer Boulevard Bridge in Denver, Colorado to the cantilever/precast heavy lift Jamestown Bridge in Jamestown, Rhode Island, massive segmental box girder Benicia-Martinez Bridge in Northern California, cable-stayed Indian River Bridge in Sussex County, Delaware, and two long-span concrete viaducts for the H-3 Interstate in Oahu, Hawaii, Cormier has traversed the US connecting communities via bridge design and construction. Today, she’s using her talents to provide construction management services for the continuous concrete tied arch Sixth Street Viaduct for the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering. Though she’s traveled the US linking communities, she described the contrast of working with one firm for an entire career.

“I always become embedded with the various clients we work for, so when you move around a lot and devote your time and energy to your client, it’s kind of like having a new job with a new company every time. You must forge the best relationships with the client, contractor, and the entire construction team each time. And many of them you see again. So, even though I’ve worked for TY Lin for my entire career, I’m really not that different from others that have had multiple employers. In truth, TY Lin deserves great credit because they’ve created an immensely supportive environment and culture that enables me to do this. Over the years, we’ve built up a lot of trust as well. My firm recognizes me for delivering, and I know that they have my back. It’s been a great relationship.”

Cormier also notes another constant in her career—WTS. Though relatively new to WTS-LA, she’s been a longtime WTS member and supporter, and with good reason.

“I’ve always championed WTS, especially when I’ve been working in California. Our team in San Francisco—which is really my home office—has always strongly backed WTS. And I’ve been an integral part of that. Unfortunately, moving around so much has made it difficult for me to take active roles in various chapters. But I’m eager to do just that in Southern California.

“I’ve already offered my help and background to WTS San Diego and have participated in their Lunch & Learn series. My Sixth Street colleagues and I presented and discussed the Viaduct project progress earlier this year. And I’ll certainly keep doing those kinds of things. For me, the essence of support for WTS centers on the scholarships and mentoring they provide for young women engineers. That’s what WTS is all about. They encourage women to enter the field, be challenged, and to succeed. Certainly, I want that for everyone, but particularly for women, because the industry was traditionally gender biased. I hope my support will assist WTS-LA to help level that particular playing field.”