NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WGNS) - State officials unveiled a brand-new look for Tennessee welcome signs that will soon greet drivers entering the state. Governor Bill Lee joined leaders from the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development to reveal the first installation at a welcome center in East Tennessee. The phased rollout will eventually bring the new signs to 16 interstate entry points across the state.

The project marks the first major overhaul of the state's welcome signs in over thirty years. For the first time in Tennessee history, the signs will feature the name of the sitting governor, a practice already used by several neighboring states. Funding for the signage comes from a five-million-dollar state budget commitment dedicated to promoting scenic beauty along major highway corridors.

Designers created the new signs using a mural-style layout inspired by vintage postcards. The graphics feature distinct Tennessee landscapes, including mountains, rivers, and local wildlife. Officials designed the imagery specifically to stand out to drivers traveling at highway speeds.

State transportation workers also focused on long-term durability for the new project. The signs use modular panels, which means crews can replace individual sections if they get damaged without having to rebuild the entire structure. Crew members will install the new roadside gateway signs in phases over the coming months as manufacturing schedules are completed.