Meaning Behind These Tiny Signs on the New York Thruway

If you've ever taken a drive on the New York State Thruway, chances are you've seen something mysterious on the side of the road.

Not that there's anything new with the signage. These three by three foot signs have been dotting major roads for decades... but what do they mean?

The Eisenhower Interstate System in New York State

The signs, which read Eisenhower Interstate System with five stars surrounding the text, refer to a road with several specific features. The most obvious, of course, is that former president Dwight D. Eisenhower had a hand in its construction and design. The specifics of why they were made, however, are fascinating.

History of the Eisenhower Interstate System

While the interstate system itself has been around since the 1950s, these special signs didn't make their appearance until 1993. The multi-billion dollar project, which was renamed to honor the former president, was created not only to help the ease of interstate travel, but for national security reasons as well.

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It may be hard to picture in 2024, but state roads in the mid-1900s were often difficult to travel, with narrow lanes and inconsistent routes. A new interstate system provided a solution for both private and commercial drivers looking to easily move about the country, with specific guidelines for the road's construction. The second reason had a more serious inspiration.

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Eisenhower Interstate System and National Security

National security and the safety of American Citizens, particularly the ease of evacuation from major cities, was another central focus of the new interstate. Since the system was first developed during the Cold War, authorities wanted to assure a way to ease congestion in case of an attack on a major city.

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So the next time you're driving down a major road and see that telltale blue sign next to a guardrail, just know that you are traveling on an innovation that is nearly 100 years old: an interstate highway system with uniform safety features that was conceived by the 34th president of the United States.