Sudbury, Wayland officials hear opposition to asphalt overlay on Sherman's Bridge

WAYLAND — October 9, 2025 — Residents urge Sudbury and Wayland to rethink asphalt-on-glulam plan for Sherman's Bridge. About 50 people packed a joint visioning workshop where TEC engineer Mike Ricciardi and Wayland DPW Director Tom Holder presented a rehabilitation that would replace the deteriorating timber deck with glulam protected by an asphalt wearing surface, plus crash-tested rails along a narrowed four-foot sidewalk. Holder said MassDOT has offered roughly $1 million in materials and contractor labor — including about $325,000 in glulam — if construction proceeds in 2026, warning the state will otherwise close the bridge. TEC traffic engineer Kevin Dandrade reported an average of 1,987 vehicles cross daily, with bridge-area speeds of 29 to 31 mph held down by approach curves. Most speakers, including Wild and Scenic River representative Tom Sciacca and abutter Jeff Stein, called the design "overkill" for a scenic, historic crossing; Rebecca Devine countered that Wayland "cannot afford to pass up this opportunity." Holder committed to a written update within three weeks but not a second forum.