‘I Love NY’ tourism signs on highways here to stay

Q: What’s the deal with all the “I Love New York” signs along the Thruway?

I thought that the state had to take them down or else lose federal funding. If I’m not mistaken, that deadline has come and gone.

Is the state now in violation of federal regulations? — John Ryan, Schodack A: The more than 500 “I Love NY” signs will remain standing, John, after an agreement between state and federal transportation regulators.

The big blue tourism signs along highways from Long Island to Buffalo can stay put without costing New York $14 million in highway funding, after a deal was reached that includes an effort to highlight state attractions.

“We have reached an agreement to launch an innovative experimental project to allow tourism signage to highlight cultural, historic and other significant state attractions off the highway system,” said state Department of Transportation Commissioner Paul Karas and Thruway Authority Director Matthew Driscoll in a joint statement. “This is a win-win for all parties and we

thank our federal counterparts for their cooperation.”

The Federal Highway Administration, which regulates signage on federal highways, had warned the state that the signs — part of a 5-year-old promotional campaign for “I Love New York,” “Taste of New York” and “Pathways Through History” — didn’t abide by rules and were too distracting to drivers.

After months of back-and-forth, state officials announced in late September that they would design a new advertising campaign to coordinate with the road signs. A final plan is expected to be submitted after more coordination with federal counterparts.

“This agreement resolves the preexisting matter between the state and the federal government and the state will continue to receive all federal highway aid,” Karas and Driscoll said.

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