Motorists traveling Interstate 10 will receive a new welcome when crossing the Orleans Parish-Jefferson Parish line: a 60-foot T- shirt with a message that right now brightly wishes “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year.”

Metairie-based Faux Pas Prints installed its half-LED, half-neon sign Dec. 18 and it was no easy task, said Jeff Prechter, manager with Graci Hart Electric, the Bucktown electrical contractor that also designed the huge sign.

“This is as state of the art as you get,” Prechter said. “It’s got LED around the outside, which is more durable and will help prevent damage from birds, and neon lettering on the inside that lasts forever, plus the message board.”

But it’s not just a pretty sight. It’s sturdy, too, Prechter said. The 60-foot-high sign has six pilings driven 30 feet into the ground and steel poles placed 10 feet down. The sign, which cost between $30,000 and $50,000, is designed to withstand 140-mph winds.

Faux Pas Prints, a family-owned business that does custom screen printing, embroidery and promotional items specializing in the corporate casual clothing market, wanted a sign that stands out and collaborated with Graci Electric in the designing.

“The thinking also was this would be kind of like a new landmark for the area,” said Prechter. “You know, ‘When you hit the big T- shirt, go left’ or something.”