Alabama's first "diverging diamond" interchange opened in 2020 at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Alabama Highway 181 near Daphne.
Despite some initial ridicule and confusion, the intersection was credited with a 58% decrease in total crashes and an 86% decrease in total injury crashes, according to a 2022 Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) report.
During the 2023 legislative session, State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) successfully carried a resolution naming the intersection for his State Senate District 32 predecessor, former State Sen. Trip Pittman (R-Fairhope).
Pittman was elected to the Alabama Senate in 2007 to fill the unexpired term of Bradley Byrne, who was appointed by then-Gov. Bob Riley to be the Alabama Community College System chancellor. He won reelection in 2010 and 2014.
The Senate passed the resolution on May 23. The House followed suit on May 25, and Gov. Kay Ivey signed it into effect on June 1.
The resolution encourages ALDOT to erect signs noting the designation.
"BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the Department of Transportation is encouraged to coordinate with local governing officials to consider designating the interchange at State Road 181 and Interstate 10 in Baldwin County the Senator Trip Pittman Interchange and to fabricate and erect appropriate signs or markers, consistent with applicable requirements and laws, in recognition of this designation.
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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