Dear Editor:
I reside at 33 Sherman Bridge Road situated at the last junction before the actual Sherman Bridge; the junction is where Alpine Road and Oxbow Road bisect Sherman Bridge Road. Given the location of my house — which I have now lived in for over 33 years — I’m sure you can understand my interest in the current discussion on “improving” the actual Sherman Bridge and the approach on Sherman Bridge Road to the bridge on the Wayland side.
It should also be noted that the house I live in (which town records show the house was built in 1810, but it’s worth noting that some records date it as really being built in 1720) — was the house where one of the Sherman family who farmed the land in this area actually lived. Given this fact — and as anyone who’s been to my house and come inside (and all are invited to do so) can attest to — I have a strong interest in preserving the history and heritage of my home and the area I live in.
That interest extends to Sherman’s Bridge itself. From the day I moved to Wayland, I loved not only the rural area around Sherman Bridge but specifically the historical and authentic nature of the bridge, and that extends to its wood construction. I personally bike Sherman Bridge Road, adding myself to the hundreds who on weekends frequent our streets a few days a week, and while I’d like to see the bridge wood surface smoothed out, which I’ve read experts say can be done. I don’t think it would be a good idea to pave the bridge surface.
I say this simply because a paved road will only increase the speed of all vehicles who drive Sherman Bridge. Put another way, the wood Sherman Bridge serves as a speed bump, which is a nice plus. I say this as a biker and a walker — which is why I also support the extension of the walkway on the north side of Sherman Bridge Road down to the river.
Bernie Weichsel
Sherman’s Bridge Road
