Friday, November 20, 2020

Indiana: Starve Hollow SRA rehabs bridge with thermally modified wood

A bridge has been rehabbed at Starve Hollow State Recreation Area, thanks to a partnership between DNR and EcoVantage LLC.

The project used about 800 board feet of 1.5-inch thick ash lumber from Indiana state forests. The lumber was thermally modified by EcoVantage LLC in the DeKalb County town of St. Joe.

Thermal modification allowed the rehab project on the outdoor bridge to use natural, local wood without chemical preservative treatment, which limits potential environmental contaminants that can be associated with traditionally treated lumber. The technology combines heat and steam to turn wood into a new and improved outdoor construction material. Thermal modification technology is still relatively uncommon in the United States but is widely used in Europe.

“The project also showcases the use of local, sustainable building materials and local hardwood industry,” said John Seifert, director of the DNR Division of Forestry.

Indiana’s hardwood industry contributes more than $10 billion in annual economic impact for the state.

Visitors are encouraged to visit the rehabbed bridge along Starve-Hollow State Recreation Area’s lakeside loop trail.

More information about EcoVantage LLC and thermal modification of wood is at ecovantagewood.com.

To view all statewide DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.

 

Media contact: Chris Gonso, Hardwood Economic Development, 317-690-4738.