Ep 16: The Hidden Stories Behind Freeway Names (and A Tribute to Mark Denis)

The Hidden Stories Behind Freeway Names (and a Tribute to Mark Denis)
Ever wonder how highways and interchanges get their names? In this special episode of Mastering the Commute, I explore the different types of freeway names—from geographic and honorific, to legacy memorials—and share a deeply personal tribute to one of the most influential voices in LA radio: Mark Denis Melbourne.

Mark wasn’t just a traffic reporter—he was the voice of Southern California traffic, a mentor to me at just 19 years old, and a friend who left an incredible legacy.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear:
 • How freeway naming really works (including the role of Caltrans)
 • Examples of memorialized interchanges across the U.S.
 • The story of Mark Denis and the 91/55 Memorial Interchange
 • Rare 1999 blooper reel audio and eulogy clips
 • A final musical tribute, “Code 5,” written in his honor

📍 Resources & Links
• How California Names Highways (Caltrans)
• More about Mark Denis (Episode page)
• Full episode archive + smart driving tips
• Subscribe & follow: @MasteringTheCommute

Code 5 Music Video with pics of Mark HERE

#FreewayFacts #TrafficLegends #MasteringTheCommute #MarkDenis #RoadNaming #MemorialInterchange #CaliforniaTraffic #SmartDriving

Chapters

• 0:16 Introduction to Episode 16
• 0:40 How Freeways and Interchanges are Named
• 1:51 Southern California Freeway Interchange Examples
• 2:43 Who was Mark Denis?
• 4:39 Mark Denis Interchange
• 5:57 Eulogy and Outtakes with David G. Hall
• 7:55 "Code 5" by Randy Keith
• 11:08 Episode 16 Closing

Transcript

🎙️ Mastering the Commute – Episode 16

“The Hidden Stories Behind Freeway Names (and a Tribute to Mark Denis)”

[Opening – 30 sec]

🎶
 Welcome back to Mastering the Commute, .. aside from running over 6 minutes ,Today’s episode is very special.
We're talking about how freeways and interchanges get their names—especially those named after people who made a lasting impact.

And I’ll share a personal story and a few other bonus items about someone who forever shaped my life in broadcasting and traffic reporting: a man named Mark Denis Melbourne.

🛣️ Segment 1 – How Freeways and Interchanges Get Named (2 min)

Naming a freeway or interchange isn’t random.
 In most states, including California, naming requires a legislative process:

• Proposals come from local lawmakers or citizen petitions
  
  
• They must pass through committees and get full approval
  
  
• Official signs are then placed by state DOTs, like Caltrans
  
  

Types of freeway/interchange names:

• Geographic names (ex: Santa Monica Freeway, 

 | Gulf Freeway | I-45 | Houston to Galveston, TX
| Massachusetts Turnpike | I-90 | Boston to NY border, MA

• Honorific names (ex: Rosa Parks Freeway, no king

 | Ronald Reagan Freeway | CA-118 | San Fernando Valley, CA
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Hwy | Several Interstates | Parts of I-80, I-70, and more
| Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd | Numerous roads | Found in dozens of U.S. cities

• Legacy memorials for public servants, veterans, and beloved community figures
  
  

When someone passes who made an extraordinary impact—especially in traffic safety, public service, or broadcasting—their memory can live on through a stretch of road.

In La.- Clarence Wayne dean

David March

And then ones like 4 level - bill keene 

🎙️ Segment 2 – Who Was Mark Denis? (3 min)

Who is that voice? That was another public servant who has his name on an interchange.. 

Today I'm going to tell you the one about 

Mark Denis Melbourne . He wasn’t just a radio voice—he was the voice of Los Angeles traffic.

• KFI AM 640’s signature traffic reporter and station voice
• He was also the voice of the monorail at Disneyland in the 80s - that said "please keep your hands and feet inside the moving tram at all times"
  
  
• A mentor, a legend, and—most importantly—a friend
  
  

When I was 19 years old, brand new in the world of traffic reporting, Mark reached out to me.
 We met on the two-way radio first— how we communicated with our reporters in the air as we/ and mark worked for. Competing station . 
 So I expected him to be - "competitor" but , Mark welcomed me warmly, invited me into the KFI studios, introduced me to program directors, and offered his support without hesitation.

His endoremsent and guidance led me on a road to working with talk radio giants in LA and NY including Dr Laura  and Sean Hannity. He infused me with confidence and motivation that still guides me today. 

In an industry fueled by ego, Mark led with kindness.
He never asked what you could do for him—he asked how he could help you.

Mark gave me my first nickname in radio, the one I never will and never want to forget - "TIRK"—The Incredible Randy Keith... tirker .. 

can't believe I never asked hi. To record my name. 
 I didn't just admire him professionally; I genuinely looked up to him as a person.

And uh his voice was truly the most enviable . He was right up there with the movie trailer guys. So deep and full. 

🛻 Segment 3 – The Loss and the Legacy (2 min)

Mark passed away in April 2000 after a heart surgery complication.
 It was the first funeral I remember attending—and fittingly, there was a traffic jam on the way to the service.
The turnout was massive: reporters, anchors, producers, bosses, engineers—everyone whose life he had touched.

After his passing, his fellow traffic reporters and local lawmakers teamed up to honor him in the best way we knew how:

• Naming an interchange where Mark traveled daily
  
  
• A place he would call "Code 5" which meant hello when passing by: The 91/55 interchange in Orange County
  
  

Today, the "Mark Denis Melbourne Memorial Interchange" signs stand at:

• Eastbound and westbound 91 approaching the 55
  
  
• Northbound 55 approaching the 91
  
  

Every time someone passes through, even if they don't know his story, Mark’s spirit rides along.

😂 Segment 4 – The Heart Behind the Voice (3 min)

So Today on the 25 th anniversary of his  I want to share something very special:
 A blast from the past with then -program director David g hall with his short eulogy, followed by a short blooper reel including some from one of my 1999 recording sessions with Mark.

(🎙️ Insert 3-minute blooper clip here: laughter, voiceover slip-ups, human moments)

That clip captures who Mark was:
 Warm, funny, professional—but never taking himself too seriously.

You can see more pictures and links to videos about mark at the episode 16 page on frivesmarternow.com 

💬 Closing – (1 min)

Mark taught me that a traffic reporter isn’t just a voice in the air.
 It's someone who connects people, helps people, and brightens people's journeys—literally and figuratively.

So today, 25 years after his passing, I remember a mentor, a legend, and a friend.
 Mark Denis Melbourne—you are missed, but you are not forgotten.

If you ever drive through the 91/55 interchange, think of the kindness that can echo through traffic.
 Maybe smile a little wider. Maybe help someone else. That's how Mark would want it.

( insert share  et )

Today I'm ending the episode wayyy too long but I could have it no other way on this date 25 years later. 

Here's a song I wrote about Mark. Here’s Code 5.

 So until next week, Drive safe and drive smart.
 🎶 (Outro music fades)