ROTH JOINS STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS IN RE-OPENING OF AIR DEPOT -- DPS DRIVER TEST CENTER RETURNS TO EASTERN OKLAHOMA COUNTY.

Contact: Commissioner Jim Roth
Phone: (405) 713-1501

Midwest City (October 10th, 2006) – Midwest City – District One County Commissioner Jim Roth, State Representative Gary Banz, Major General Bud Wyatt III, Commander of the Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard, and Department of Public Safety Driver License Examining Director Karen Gentry addressed Public Safety Drivers Test Center officials and community leaders of eastern Oklahoma County at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday morning at the Midwest City Army National Guard Armory. The ceremony was held to celebrate improvements made to parking facilities at the Armory and the resurfacing of Air Depot Boulevard north of Northeast 23rd Street.

Roth said his district became involved with the project after he was contacted by Rep. Banz and officials from Midwest City. The project cost approximately $74,000 and was completed by District One crews. Improvements include straightening the road, base stabilization, and drainage improvements, as well as 4.5 inches of asphalt surfacing. Air Depot provides access to Midwest City’s National Guard Armory, a Department of Public Safety Driver Test Center, and Crutcho School.

Commissioner Roth said the improvements to the road were the second major project the District had been involved with in the Crutcho area this year. Earlier this summer, District One crews paved a bus lane and re-built the bus parking area at Crutcho School. That project totaled nearly $52,000. “I am very pleased we were able to perform this work,” Roth said. “These two projects create a safer environment for our school children, their parents and all others who travel and do business along Air Depot,” he concluded.

Rep. Banz told the group the recently completed parking lot renovation and access road upgrade were part of an effort to “improve safe and convenient access to Department of Public Safety services for residents of eastern Oklahoma County and enhance the image we project to new Oklahomans moving to our communities.” Banz went on to say that the completion of these two projects serve as another example of how different levels of government can work together for the benefit of all citizens.