McGrath wrote this letter to Reeves in response to her request to document instances where she felt under undue pressure from lawmakers. The letter was published Thursday. She wrote: “The ongoing interest of the office of lieutenant governor in Highway 25/Lakeland Drive widening project has given heightened importance to this project. Your staff was informed by regular project updates of potential delays in utility services that could slow down the construction schedule. Your staff made the unusual move of directly communicating with utility providers. This was done to ensure that the project did not stall. Your letter raised many questions that the Department has considered adding to its documentation policy in order to capture all information requests. This was the final phase of the $46 million Highway 25/Lakeland Drive widening. In 2015, McGrath wrote that the Legislature mandated that MDOT bypass its normal construction/maintenance process to widen a section of Lakeland Drive in Rankin County from four to six lanes without providing any additional funds. She wrote that MDOT was forced by the legislative mandate to divert funds and delay numerous road and bridge preservation projects. McGrath stated earlier this month that MDOT had been subject to “political pressure” from Senators. Reeves wrote to McGrath on July 11, asking her to show evidence that any senator tried to influence MDOT to build the frontage roads. Reeves denied any involvement in the construction of the frontage road linking his subdivision to a traffic signal to make it easier to access busy Lakeland Drive in Rankin County. Reeves presented the McGrath Letter as proof that the Senate did not apply undue pressure on the project during a 20-minute news conference at the Capitol. McGrath’s paragraph in the letter states, “I have never indicated any improper, unacceptable, or unlawful communication to a member of Congress.” He also mentioned the fact that the Legislature had in 2014 mandated the widening of Lakeland Drive. This was the Constitutional right of the Legislature. “When the duly elected representatives are performing their constitutional responsibility of appropriating money, that isn’t political pressure. He said that it is the law of the state as it stands today. The frontage road would run between two neighborhoods with fewer than 150 houses and a red light at the shopping center. This will make it easier for residents to turn left toward Jackson. The frontage road would not benefit any other businesses or communities. Dick Hall, Central District Transportation Commissioner, announced that he would postpone the project. It was due to be bidding out for construction in late November. He stated that he wants to reconsider whether the project is necessary due to safety concerns. He also acknowledged that media reports had influenced his decision not to move it. Attorney General Jim Hood launched an investigation into the matter last week and requested that Reeves staffers as well as lawmakers keep any relevant records. Reeves claimed Hood used “political grandstanding” to send the letter. He also stated that senators, including his own office, weren’t bound by the request. He said, “But, I like you want to solve any outstanding questions regarding the project in the public’s best interest, so I am voluntarily responding” to his request. According to him, two separate searches by third-parties have not found any correspondence related the frontage road. Reeves stated that the real scandal is the attorney general using the threat of prosecutorial powers to his office for his personal and political gain. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to the Spring Member Drive today.