The 500-plus "I Love New York" tourism signs that line highways are coming down, announced one day after the Federal Highway Administration said they could cost the state $14 million in funding.

State transportation officials aren't tying the two together, instead stating that the signs were part of a successful branding effort that has boosted visitors to New York, and that existing signs would be reused and redesigned once a new campaign launches this summer.

Federal officials initially maintained the signs are unsafe, but after spending $8 million to create and install the signs, Gov. Andrew Cuomo refused to take them down.

New York State has until September 30 to remove the signs in order to have the $14 million restored.

The signs cost the state $8.1 million to install less than five years ago.