Overview

• Gov. Greg Abbott directed TxDOT to require cities and counties to remove any roadway markings conveying social, political or ideological messages, warning noncompliant jurisdictions could lose state and federal transportation funds and see TxDOT agreements suspended.
• TxDOT told local governments they have 30 days to eliminate decorative crosswalks, murals and other non‑standard markings, citing U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s SAFE ROADS guidance focused on distraction reduction and consistent traffic control.
• Early compliance is underway, with Galveston confirming crews are removing two rainbow crosswalks and Houston Metro saying it will re‑stripe the Montrose intersection at Westheimer and Taft to meet federal standards.
• The scope extends beyond Pride symbols, with reporting that Austin’s ‘Black Artists Matter’ roadway art and a George Floyd ‘Black Lives Matter’ street mural in Houston’s Third Ward could be flagged under the same rules.
• Austin officials said roughly 16 locations may be affected and warned that failure to comply could jeopardize hundreds of millions of dollars, noting $175 million in current grants, while some advocates point out Dallas’ Pride crosswalks were privately funded.