To the Editor:
The current Sherman’s Bridge proposal continues to fall short in addressing essential traffic safety concerns for residents, Wayland school children, pedestrians, and recreational users. While some improvements have been made, the absence of meaningful traffic calming measures remains a serious oversight.
Traffic data from November 2024 reveals a significant cut-through problem, with more than 830 vehicles traveling eastbound during the morning rush hour. These vehicles frequently encroach into opposing lanes on narrow, winding roads regularly used by school buses and student drivers. In addition, vehicles approaching from Wayland often exceed the posted 25 mph speed limit due to the downhill approach.
We are particularly concerned by recent assertions that neither town supports speed mitigation. Under Wayland Bylaws (§91-1), authority over traffic-calming policy rests with the Board of Public Works, not with the DPW Director. Moreover, Wayland’s long-standing use of speed tables in other neighborhoods demonstrates that such measures are effective and compatible with emergency response and DPW operations.
As currently proposed, the project does not adequately protect residents entering and exiting driveways or students waiting for school buses on roads never designed for this volume of commuter traffic. We respectfully urge the board to require enforceable speed limits and/or speed tables to protect public safety and preserve the historic character of the neighborhood.
We welcome an open, public dialogue with town officials and residents to collaboratively address these safety concerns.
Piyali Mukherjee-Talukdar
Sherman’s Bridge Road
Sherman’s Bridge Road traffic concerns
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