The Oklahoma Transportation Commission voted Monday to award a contract to construct the two remaining core sections of the Oklahoma City Boulevard between Western Avenue and Shields Boulevard/E.K. Gaylord Boulevard near downtown Oklahoma City. This rendering shows how the new boulevard is expected to appear, looking east from Hudson Avenue. [Rendering provided by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation]

Monday was a banner day for Oklahoma City highway projects as the state Transportation Commission awarded contracts to improve I-35 traffic flow at the Dallas junction and complete the Oklahoma City Boulevard near downtown.

The commission also awarded a contract to complete in northwest Oklahoma City the widening of State Highway 74 (Portland Avenue) from just north of NW 164 Street to NW 206 Street (Covell Road).

Dallas junction

The Dallas junction project wasn't the most expensive project awarded Monday, but it may have been the most important for the money, Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Mike Patterson told commissioners Monday.