By 1808Delaware
Delaware County shared on social media Monday that in a heartfelt ceremony, officials paid tribute to a local visionary by renaming the Home Road Bridge over the Scioto River as the Fred L. Stults Bridge. The dedication honors Stults, who served as Delaware County Engineer for an impressive 27 years before retiring in 1996. Stults, along with his wife Nancy, still resides in Concord Township, a short distance from the bridge that now carries his name.
Fred L. Stults’s tenure as County Engineer was marked by strategic planning and long-term foresight. Current Delaware County Engineer Chris Bauserman highlighted the profound impact of Stults’s efforts on the county’s infrastructure, crediting him with forging an intergovernmental agreement between Columbus and Delaware County, which was instrumental in securing the funding needed to replace the bridge in 2003.
The replacement project transformed the structure, which originally spanned 200 feet, into a modern marvel now stretching more than five times that length. The updated bridge accommodates the expanded Scioto River, widened due to the creation of the O’Shaughnessy Reservoir.
The dedication ceremony drew a crowd of community members, officials, and supporters, who filled the hearing room to capacity. Attendees rose to their feet, delivering a standing ovation after Stults’s remarks to the Commissioners. During his speech, Stults fondly reflected on his role in the negotiations that secured the bridge’s future.
Stults shared memories of the challenges and triumphs involved in the bridge’s development, noting its significance not only as a vital piece of infrastructure but also as a symbol of collaboration and progress.
Renaming the Home Road Bridge is a fitting tribute to Stults’s decades of public service and dedication to Delaware County. His work has left an indelible mark on the area, ensuring that its infrastructure supports the needs of a growing population.
The Fred L. Stults Bridge now stands as a testament to his legacy, bridging not only the Scioto River but also the past and future of Delaware County’s transportation network.
Source, Image: Delaware County
