The portion of U.S. Highway 61 from the intersection of Missouri Route B south of La Grange to the intersection of Missouri Route B north of Canton, in Lewis County, shall be designated the “Students of Missouri Assisting Rural Transportation (S.M.A.R.T.) Memorial Highway”. This eleven-mile stretch of roadway shall be dedicated to these students and their efforts to improve transportation in the area. The department of transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs commemorating such portion of Highway 61 at its discretion, and the students of Missouri assisting rural transportation shall pay for all such signs.