(1) U.S. Highway 45 within the State of Mississippi is hereby designated as “The Veterans’ Memorial Highway” in honor of and in genuine gratitude and appreciation for the contributions made by veterans of this state in the defense of and service to this country, excluding, however, that portion from Baldwyn in Lee County to Nettleton in Lee County previously designated as the “David Williams Robins Highway” by Chapter 300, Laws of 1954. The State Highway Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to allow the erection on the highway rights-of-way of suitable monuments and markers as prescribed and provided by the veterans’ organizations within the state.
(2) Upon the completion of the corridor through the eastern part of the state from Tennessee to the Gulf of Mexico as authorized by Chapter 484, Laws of 1972, said new corridor shall be designated as “The Veterans’ Memorial Highway” in appreciation for the services of veterans to this state and the State Highway Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to allow the erection on the highway rights-of-way suitable monuments and markers as prescribed and provided by the veterans’ organizations within the state and the designation of old U. S. Highway 45 as “the Veterans’ Memorial Highway” shall be abandoned.