From the junction of United States highway 24 with United States highway 77 then west on United States highway 24 to the junction of United States highway 24 with United States highway 83 is hereby designated the World War II veterans memorial highway. The secretary of transportation shall place signs along the highway right-of-way at proper intervals to indicate that the highway is the World War II veterans memorial highway, except that such signs shall not be placed until the secretary has received sufficient moneys from gifts and donations to reimburse the secretary for the cost of placing such signs and an additional 50% of the initial cost to defray future maintenance or replacement costs of such signs. The secretary of transportation may accept and administer gifts and donations to aid in obtaining and installing suitable signs.