Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Shermans Bridge topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wayland BPW: Sherman’s Bridge redesign keeps current walkway; second walkway out of scope for now
Summary
DPW director Tom Holder told the Board of Public Works the Sherman’s Bridge project will remove the asphalt layer, preserve walkway width and add a timber wearing surface over glulam decking; MassDOT standards prevent changing south-side guardrails and a second walkway is beyond the current project scope though it could be added later following additional study.
Tom Holder, Wayland DPW director, told the Board of Public Works on Jan. 20 that the Sherman’s Bridge rehabilitation will remove the asphalt layer, maintain the existing walkway width, lower the barrier between the driving surface and walkway, preserve the north-side steel banding wood guardrails and install a timber wearing surface over the glulam decking. “The installation of a second walkway is beyond the scope of the current project,” Holder said, and he noted MassDOT will fund materials and installation for the elements that are being replaced.
The board heard two public comments about the bridge. Elisa Carter (19 Shermans Bridge Road) said she emailed project materials and said, “I do feel this project is substantial enough to warrant a vote at Town Meeting.” Henry White (109 Lincoln Road) thanked staff for responsiveness and asked the board to authorize a preliminary engineering study to explore the feasibility and cost of adding a second walkway on the bridge’s south side.
Board members pressed staff on durability and permitting. Judy Ling asked about maintenance of the glulam decking; Holder said glulam typically has a 25–30 year lifespan and the timber-wearing surface will provide additional protection. Ed Chiang asked whether adding a second walkway would alter the bridge’s historic character and require additional permitting; Holder said the bridge did not have a walkway prior to 1992 and a second walkway could be installed later but is not part of the current contract.
The board discussed speed controls approaching the bridge. Holder said physical traffic-calming measures placed in the travel lane—rumble strips, speed humps or speed bumps—are not supported by either community; the board is considering pavement striping and solar-powered signage instead. Michael Wegerbauer noted he favors the idea of a second walkway for user safety but agreed funding and Town Meeting approval would likely be needed to add it later.
Next steps recorded in meeting minutes include Holder continuing permit submissions (Notice of Intent to Wayland and Sudbury conservation commissions), finalizing shop drawings with MassDOT and arranging a technical memorandum from the project engineer to evaluate a future second-walkway option.
