State will change road tourism signage

NEW YORK STATE--After the federal government said it would withhold some $14 million in funding, New York has agreed to change certain "I Love NY" signs promoting various attractions across the state.
The road signs in question were put up along major highways in New York and feature a blue background with messages promoting tourism ranging from "Path Through History" to "Taste NY." There are over 500 signs and they came with a total cost of more than $8 million.
The federal government contends the signs are unsafe because they contain too much information and may cause drivers to be distracted. Many signs also feature a web address "ILoveNY.com" as well as other information not directly related to driving. This includes a cell phone application for tourism. The state has until Sept. 30 to remove the disputed road signs.
In a joint statement from New York state Department of Transportation Commissioner Paul Karas and Thruway Executive Director Matthew Driscoll, they said in part, "From greater Niagara to Long Island, 'I Love NY' signs have helped get motorists off the roads and into mom-and-pop restaurants, shops, and historic destinations. This increased traffic has in turn boosted local economies that aren't typical tourist attractions."
The statement goes on to say the replacement of the signs is due to a change in marketing, not as a result of the funding cut. "As the current campaign and signs are entering their fifth year, this message has run its useful course and we already plan to launch a new 'I Love NY' campaign this summer to support our tourism industry. The new campaign will be 'NY has it all!' The campaign will have, as usual, comprehensive television and print advertising, as well as new road signage. Existing materials will be reused but, as the signs will be redesigned for the new campaign, we will consult with [the] FHWA [Federal Highway Administration] during this process. It will be a new campaign launched for the summer tourism cycle and as such must be concluded before the September FHWA deadline anyway."
The first signs went up in 2014 after an order by FHWA prohibiting them.