(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the commissioner of transportation is directed to include as a part of all signage at interstate rest areas in the state information that indicates the mileage to the next closest interstate rest area as a means of assistance to the tourists who travel our great state.
(2) The erection of informational signs or the inclusion of mileage information on existing signs shall be within the guidelines prescribed by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Safety.
(3) This section becomes operative only if the federal highway administrator advises the commissioner in writing that the provisions of this section do not render Tennessee in violation of federal laws and regulations and subject to penalties prescribed in the laws and regulations.