Overview
- TxDOT ordered cities to strip decorative crosswalks, murals, and other roadway messages within 30 days or face funding consequences, citing federal SAFE ROADS guidance on driver distraction.
- Austin will proceed with removals, identifying about 16 sites including the 4th Street rainbow crosswalk and the “Black Artists Matter” mural, with roughly $175 million in grants at stake.
- Galveston has already removed its rainbow crosswalks, while Houston’s Montrose stripes were handled through a METRO pavement project and are slated for further removal.
- Houston officials are seeking clarity on whether Black Lives Matter and Black Towns Matter street murals and other commemorative markings fall under the state’s ban.
- Houston advocacy groups scheduled a “Don’t Mess with the Texas Rainbow” protest Sunday at the Montrose crosswalk, with council member Abbie Kamin and community leaders expected to attend.