Feds don't love 'I Love NY' signs on roads, welcome centers

New York's top transportation official will travel to Washington to discuss an ongoing dispute with federal officials over the state's highway welcome centers and roadside "I Love NY" signs.

Federal officials say the signs violate signage rules and could distract motorists. Federal authorities are also concerned that the state-run Taste NY stores in highway welcome centers may run afoul of rules governing commercial activity at rest stops.

A spokesman for the Federal Highway Administration says agency Administrator Greg Nadeau is scheduled to meet with state Department of Transportation Commissioner Matt Driscoll next month to discuss the conflict.

The state defends the signs and welcome centers as successful ways to market tourism and locally made products.

The dispute was first reported by the USA Today Network.