RALEIGH ó The N.C. Department of Transportation today dedicated a 4.8-mile section of I-85 from U.S. 64 to N.C. 8 as the Bob Timberlake Freeway, in honor of local realist artist and entrepreneur Bob Timberlake. Transportation Secretary Gene Conti officially named the highway at a ceremony this morning at the Bob Timberlake Gallery in Lexington.

ěBob Timberlake chose to open a 15,000-square-foot retail gallery and a furniture production plant in his hometown of Lexington, and years later, he launched a second gallery in Blowing Rock,î said Conti. ěHis decisions have helped create jobs and stimulate economic growth across North Carolina, and naming this stretch of I-85 in Lexington in his honor is a fitting way to recognize his many contributions to our state.î

Timberlake is the chairman of Bob Timberlake Inc., the licensing company that acts as manager and agent of the Bob Timberlake brand.

His paintings of the simple life in North Carolina have been exhibited in galleries across the country and around the world. Timberlake has also launched several successful furniture lines, which introduced the concept of branding a furniture collection after a famous personality or lifestyle. Bob Timberlake furniture has passed the $1 billion mark in sales, and he has licensed products to more than 20 leading manufacturers in the areas of home textiles, home furnishing accessories and apparel.

Since its inception in 1989, The World of Bob Timberlake, one of the artistís most popular furniture lines, has been manufactured in Lexington. About 115 workers are employed at the production facility.

Timberlake is also known for his charitable contributions. His donated artwork has raised $2 million for Duke Childrenís Hospital and Duke University Comprehensive Cancer Center. He has also been recognized for his environmental efforts by the Boy Scouts of America, Keep America Beautiful Inc. and the American Forestry Service.

The Davidson County Board of Commissioners requested the road naming, and the N.C. Board of Transportation passed a resolution dedicating the stretch of highway in Timberlakeís honor in July 2008.