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Sudbury ZBA approves Special Permit to rehabilitate Sherman’s Bridge on Lincoln Road
Summary
The Sudbury Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved a Special Permit on July 6, 2026 for rehabilitation of Sherman’s Bridge (Lincoln Road) after hearing that conservation and Army Corps approvals are in place and MassDOT funding requires work to begin before Dec. 31, 2026.
The Sudbury Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously on July 6, 2026 to approve a Special Permit under MGL Chapter 40A, Section 9 and Sections 4165 and 4166 of the Town of Sudbury Zoning Bylaw to rehabilitate Sherman’s Bridge on Lincoln Road. The applicant, Tina Rivard, Sudbury’s Director of Public Works, appeared with engineering consultants from TECH to present the plans and permitting status.
Rivard told the board the project had received an Order of Conditions from the Sudbury Conservation Commission and authorizations from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Wayland’s Conservation Commission adopted comparable permit language. Board members were told MassDOT will cover materials and labor for deck replacement and railing work through its on-call contractor, while Wayland and Sudbury will split remaining costs for piling and bracing work below the deck. Project supporters said construction is planned to begin in October 2026 if fabrication stays on schedule, with a full three-month closure and reopening targeted for January 2027. Rivard noted MassDOT funds for the work are expected to expire on December 31, 2026.
The proposal includes a pressure-treated southern yellow pine wearing surface for the deck; staff described the preservative chosen as a modern, lower-impact option though they acknowledged all preservatives carry some toxicity. Consultants said the FRP sleeve used for pile repair is a standard method, will remain in place and will be below the waterline at times depending on water levels. The Sudbury Conservation Commission approved the project on June 15, 2026 and the appeal period has expired.
The motion to approve the application was made by Sumeet Keswani and seconded by Jennifer Pincus. A roll-call vote recorded Aye from Clerk Frank Riepe, Alexander Dorjets, Ian Henchy, Jennifer Pincus and Sumeet Keswani; the motion passed unanimously. Rivard and the project team said the historical kiosk design and exact kiosk location remain to be finalized by the historical commissions of Sudbury and Wayland and will be project-funded, and that the kiosk does not require additional ZBA approval.
