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The long-anticipated rehabilitation of Sherman’s Bridge will officially begin on Monday, November 9, 2026, triggering a full bridge closure that is expected to last for 12 weeks. The crossing, which connects Lincoln Road in Sudbury to Sherman’s Bridge Road in Wayland, is anticipated to reopen by February 1, 2027, weather and conditions permitting. According to the recently released update from the Sudbury Department of Public Works, detour routes will be in effect throughout the construction period, with detour signage directing traffic around the full closure.
While the bridge remains safe for current travel, MassDOT has categorized significant structural repairs as a high priority to prevent a potential future closure. The planned rehabilitation focuses on extending the service life of the existing 1992 timber substructure. Project crews will replace the current wooden deck with a stronger glulam timber deck, install crash-tested bridge and approach guardrails, and complete targeted substructure repairs to the timber piles and bracing. Beyond safety enhancements, the new deck is expected to reduce the noise and vibration caused by the current failing timber boards.
This construction phase marks the culmination of planning efforts tracing back over a year. During the initial design phases in October 2025, Sudbury Town Manager Andy Sheehan and Wayland Town Manager Michael McCall formally endorsed the project, emphasizing the need for the bridge to remain functional while staying visually consistent with its scenic surroundings near the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Following a community Visioning Workshop hosted at the Fairbank Community Center on October 9, 2025, the project team incorporated public feedback into the final designs.
According to information released by the Town of Sudbury, the financial burden on local taxpayers has been significantly reduced through State assistance. MassDOT is providing in-kind support by supplying the glulam decking materials and utilizing its on-call contractor to handle the deck and railing replacement. Sudbury and Wayland will split the remaining project costs. Residents looking for specific detour maps or ongoing project updates can visit the dedicated project website maintained by the Town of Sudbury.