It's been 50 years since President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a law to bring the modern interstate highway system into existence. And Cherokee County will soon be home to a sign to honor him and the Department of Transportation.

The unveiling of the sign is the capstone event of National Transportation Week, May 14 20.

"This year's Transportation Celebration for Cherokee County will be held on Saturday, May 20 at the S.C. Welcome Center on I-85 in Blacksburg," said Teresa E. Langston, a spokesperson for the Cherokee County office of the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). "The celebration will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 2 p.m. National Transportation Week is designed to recognize the important role transportation plays in our daily lives and to raise awareness about the importance of a safe and efficient highway system."

The Department of Transportation will be providing brochures and promotional items, as well as presenting a video during the annual open house celebration at the Welcome Center.

Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act on June 29, 1956, creating the Highway Trust Fund. Originally created to serve efficient transportation for armed forces during times war, the interstate highways have grown to be an almost essential part of daily life in the state and nation.

Since the 1950s, interstates have become important social and commercial lifelines. Today, there are 844 miles of interstate connecting South Carolina and its communities to each other and the nation. The unveiling of the Eisenhower sign in Cherokee County will be held on May 24th at the Welcome Center in Blacksburg at 10 a.m.

"As part of this celebration each year, a poster contest is held throughout the state encouraging all 5th graders

to participate," Langston said. "Students were invited to draw their interpretation of the theme 'One Nation on the Move.' First, second and third place winners from each county will be recognized at an awards ceremony on May 18 in Columbia. The county winners for Cherokee County are from Draytonville Elementary.

They are Kelly Jackson, Sonny Pierce, and Kayla Thompson. After this awards ceremony, all poster contest entries for Cherokee County will be on display at the Welcome Center during the Open House Transportation Celebration on May 20."

In addition to the artwork and information, road maintenance equipment will be on

display and there will be live demonstrations, refreshments, displays of historic photos, and many give-away items for adults and children (T-shirts, pencils/pens, coloring books, crayons, brochures, stickers, etc.) For additional information, please contact the SCDOT Cherokee Maintenance facility in Gaffney at 489-2844.