Sudbury ZBA approves floodplain special permit for Sudbury-Wayland bridge repair

SUDBURY -- July 6, 2026, Sudbury ZBA clears last local permit for Sudbury-Wayland bridge repair. The Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5-0 Monday to grant a special permit in the floodplain overlay district for DPW Director Tina Rivard's application in Case 26-07, following orders of conditions from both towns' conservation commissions and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. MassDOT is funding materials and labor for the deck and railing through its on-call contractor; Sudbury and Wayland are splitting the remaining pile and bracing work 50-50. The MassDOT funding mechanism expires Dec. 31, 2026, driving an October 2026 construction start with a full three-month bridge closure through January 2027. Member Frank W. Riepe framed the board's role narrowly: "we're charged with seeing that no environmental harm is resulting from this project." Board reorganization was tabled; the next meeting is Aug. 3.