'I Love NY' highway signs can stay without loss of federal funds

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — State and federal transportation regulators have reached an agreement allowing "I Love NY" highway signs to stay in place without costing New York $14 million in highway funding.

The Federal Highway Administration had warned the state that the 514 big blue tourism signs along highways from Long Island to Buffalo didn't adhere to regulations and were distracting to drivers. New York stood to lose federal funding if the dispute wasn't resolved by month's end.

Mike Reynard, a spokesman for the federal agency, said Friday that New York's Department of Transportation has reached an agreement with the agency on a path forward.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office late Friday announced an agreement to launch "an innovative experimental project to allow tourism signage," with a final plan expected "in the coming months."