KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas and Missouri Departments of Transportation, along with the Eisenhower and Truman Presidential Libraries, unveiled signs designating 165 miles of Interstate 70 between Abilene, and Independence, Mo., as the Dwight D Eisenhower – Harry S Truman Presidential Highway in Kansas and the Harry S Truman – Dwight D Eisenhower Presidential Highway in Missouri.

In 2011, the Kansas Legislature and Missouri General Assembly each enacted laws creating the highway designations for I-70. KDOT, MoDOT, and the Eisenhower and Truman Presidential Libraries partnered on the bi-state ceremony conducted Friday at Case Park, overlooking the Missouri River in Kansas City, Mo.

Guest speakers at the ceremony included John Truman and Mary Eisenhower, along with comments by, Missouri State Rep. Tom McDonald, Steve Miller, Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, Deb Miller, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation, Karl Weissenbach, Director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum and Mike Devine, Director of the Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

From Independence, Mo., Harry S. Truman was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953.

From Abilene, General Dwight D. Eisenhower was the 34th president of the United States, serving from 1953 to 1961. Both presidents advanced the road and highway system, including the bill that authorized the interstate system in 1956.

Private funds were raised to cover the cost of producing and maintaining the three new highway signs. On Kansas’ 149-mile stretch of I-70, signs will be placed on westbound I-70 in Kansas City and on eastbound I-70 approximately a mile west of the K-15 interchange in Abilene.

On Missouri’s 16-mile stretch, one sign will be placed on westbound I-70 at the eastern city limits of Independence.

A reception at the River Club, adjacent to Case Park, followed the ceremony. The Harry S. Truman Library Institute in Independence, MO, hosted the reception.