FAYETTEVILLE -- Justice of the Peace Eva Madison agreed Friday to take part in Washington County's investigation into county bridges.
Madison will join Chief of Staff Dan Short to interview Road Department employees to find out whose decisions led to shoddy construction of at least two county bridges. The Quorum Court voted to approve the plan Thursday and plans to formalize it in an ordinance Monday.
"I appreciate the trust you and my fellow justices have placed in me, and I will work very hard to complete the investigation and report back on your timeline," Madison wrote in a letter to County Judge Marilyn Edwards, who said Thursday she hoped the investigation could be done in two weeks.
County officials believe Harvey Dowell Bridge near Fayetteville and the incomplete Stonewall Bridge near Prairie Grove were built improperly, and it's unclear if other bridges were as well. Stonewall is being redone, while Harvey Dowell has a 3-ton weight limit.
Madison asked for a transcript of the interviews and raised concerns about Short's involvement, given he reports to Edwards, who oversees the Road Department. The Quorum Court should discuss those concerns and define the investigation's scope during Monday's 5:30 p.m. meeting, Madison wrote.
NW News on 04/18/2015