From the junction of United States highway 24 and United States highway 40 with United States highway 73 and highway K-7, United States highway 73 and highway K-7 north to the southern city limits of Lansing, then north from the northern city limits of Lansing to the eastern junction with United States highway 59 in the city of Atchison, United States highway 73 west to the junction with United States highway 159, is hereby designated as the Amelia Earhart memorial highway. The secretary of transportation shall place markers along the highway right-of-way at proper intervals to indicate that the highway is the Amelia Earhart memorial highway. The secretary of transportation may accept and administer gifts and donations to aid in obtaining suitable highway signs bearing the proper approved inscription.