Modern timber bridges could be cost effect fix to county roads

Mississippi State University professor, Dr. Rubin Shmulsky, said timber bridges are more durable and less expensive for the state.

Us safely over water ways... but sometimes they need repairs.

Right now... a professor at mississippi state hopes a popular building material from the past... could be a cost effective and environmentally friendly option for the future!

Wtva's rhea thornton is live in starkville where she met with the professor to talk about the durable bridges.

On monday president biden discussed issues with bridges across the country... and in mississippi, county bridges may need the most help.

Well, dr. rubin shmulsky may have a solution... n ."

Nat pop driving over bridge mississippi state university professor rubin shmulsky has worked with timber products for nearly 25 years.

He said this wood could help build stronger, more durable bridges.

Rubin shmulsky - department head of sustainable bioproducts: "we have bridges that are derated or in need of repair and we find there's never enough money to replace all the bridges all at once and do all the work that's needed, so finding the lowest cost, best solutions is favorable for everybody."

Shmulsky said the timber is preserved to ensure no rotting or decaying takes place... helping these bridges last for 50 years or more... rubin shmulsky - department head of sustainable bioproducts: "they carry heavy loads.

They minimize their deflection so they feel good when you drive all over them.

They don't feel like they're bouncing or they're sagging."

The timber bridge in oktibbeha county took very little time to construct, giving people a chance to reuse the road faster.

With all these benefits, shmulsky hopes timber will become more widely considered in the bridge building process.

Rubin shmulsky - department head of sustainable bioproducts: "often timber is the lowest cost, but it doesn't get considered.

We think that could help oktibbeha county.

We think it could help the state and it helps the nation when we come up with low cost transportation solutions."

Along with the bridge in oktibbeha, there's also a timber bridge in tallahatchie county... and it only took crews five days to fully install.

Reporting live in starkville, rhea thornton wtva 9 news.