During a recent media event at the I-26 Unicoi County Welcome Center in Erwin, TN, Governor Bill Lee (R) – alongside the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development – unveiled the first of the state’s brand new “Welcome to Tennessee” highway signs.
[Above photo by the Tennessee Governor’s Office]
The update marks the first major redesign of the state’s welcome signs since 1995 and is inspired by the “bold, nostalgic style” of vintage postcards, the governor said at the event.
The new signs feature a richly illustrated mural that incorporates iconic Tennessee elements, such as mountains, rivers, wildlife, and layered geographic color palettes.
Tennessee DOT will begin installing new roadside gateway signs at 16 interstate entry points over the coming months; replacing existing welcome signs in phases as fabrication and site scheduling are completed.
“Every day, thousands of people cross our state line for the first time – families on vacation, new residents seeking opportunity, and visitors who are about to discover what makes Tennessee special,” Gov. Lee noted in a statement. “These new welcome signs reflect the pride we have in our home and Tennessee’s Volunteer Spirit that says, ‘we’re glad you’re here.’”
[Editor’s note: Montana recently initiated a similar welcome sign replacement program for its highways and rest areas in April this year.]
This new sign installation initiative directly supports the governor’s commitment of $5 million to promote and showcase scenic beauty along Tennessee’s major corridors in the state’s fiscal year 2025 budget, added Will Reid, Tennessee DOT commissioner.
“These signs are more than just markers on the side of the road – they’re a welcome mat to our home,” he added. “We’re grateful to the General Assembly for providing the funding needed to bring this project to life. Their support allowed us to create something that truly reflects the pride we have in Tennessee and the experience we want every visitor to feel the moment they arrive.”
Beyond aesthetics, the new signage system is built for longevity and flexibility, Tennessee DOT noted, as their modular panels allow for easy replacement without rebuilding entire structures. The design can be replicated at highway “Welcome Centers” statewide – creating a cohesive visual identity for Tennessee’s entry points, the agency said.
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