Study Underway to Untangle Exit 188 Congestion
De Armanville, AL · November 14, 2026
Heavy clouds are settling over the ridges early today, keeping things brisk from dawn to dusk. Layer up before heading out, whether you are running morning errands or catching tonight's open house along Noble Street.
The Lead
Traffic relief is finally moving from neighborhood wish lists to the drawing board for Exit 188. Oxford council members voted unanimously this week to approve a $165,000 contract with engineering firm Goodwyn Mills Cawood, tasking planners with reconfiguring the Interstate 20 interchange at Leon Smith Parkway. Anyone navigating the corridor during weekend sports tournaments at Choccolocco Park or holiday shopping rushes along the retail strip knows how quickly the off-ramps stack up. The project focuses on an Interstate Access Request Modification Report, assessing updated ramp geometry, enhanced turning capacity, and modernized signal controls to prevent spillover onto the interstate mainline. Engineers will spend the coming months analyzing traffic counts and property boundaries before submitting formal improvement concepts to state highway officials.
Local Pulse
Friendship Road Rezoning Clears Council Approval Housing Oxford councilors approved rezoning property near Friendship Road, allowing developers to advance plans for a new residential subdivision.
County Approves Traffic Enforcement Safety Grant Safety Calhoun County deputies will increase selective traffic patrols along high-crash rural routes following state overtime reimbursement approval.
Today's Outlook
- High 55°F · Low 31°F — Overcast
- Bundle up in heavy layers today as stubborn clouds keep the afternoon feeling crisp.
What's On Around Town
Today
Creature Feature Anniston Museums and Gardens (800 Museum Dr), Anniston, 1:00–2:00 PM Meet live animal ambassadors and learn their habits up close.
Christmas at Kress The Kress Anniston (1108 Noble St), Anniston, 5:00–9:00 PM · Free Stroll open storefronts and evening artisan booths along Noble Street.
Tomorrow
- German-Italian POW Memorial Service German Italian Memorial Cemetery, Anniston, 1:30 PM · Free
- Craft Club: Tea & Tote Bags Starcat Vintage, Anniston, 2:00 PM
- Grand Funk Railroad Oxford Performing Arts Center (100 Choccolocco St), Oxford, 7:00 PM · Paid
Monday
- Youth Gymnastics Class Carver Community Center (720 W 14th St), Anniston, 3:30–6:30 PM · Paid
- Women's Ministry Holiday Gathering First Baptist Church Oxford (95 E Oak St), Oxford, 6:00 PM
Spotlight & Story
- Jamback Road
- Tucked into the Choccolocco Valley, this winding drive takes its name from Peter Heifner’s 1830s homestead, jammed flat against the mountainside. Heifner settled the 1,000-acre tract shortly after ransoming his kidnapped infant daughter, Elizabeth, in exchange for a peck of onions and whiskey.
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