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Texas governor Greg Abbott Already given to this city dallas until the end of the month Remove pavement markings nation think “politics” Or face the loss of millions in critical funds.
Markers included in takedown orders include rainbow crosswalk in Oak Lawn and"black lives matter“The mural on MLK Boulevard.
Abbott ordered the removal of the markings in October 2025, arguing that the designs violated the state’s uniform standards and could distract drivers, posing a safety threat. His directive is part of a broader push at the federal level to standardize road markings due to safety concerns.
Florida has previously taken similar steps to remove rainbow crosswalks — often in neighborhoods that support LGBTQ residents — as part of Donald Trump’s push to end diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across the country.
Supporters of the Texas measure argue that the order is about maintaining consistency across the state, rather than Abbott wiping out ideological niches contrary to his beliefs. dallas news.
Critics don’t buy the state’s rationale for demolition.
“The forced removal of rainbow crosswalks is an intentional act of erasure, plain and simple,” LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce CEO Tony Vedda said in a statement. dallas voice. “These crosswalks have never been a safety issue. They are 100% privately funded and installed without the use of any tax dollars. The crosswalks were targeted because they represent LGBTQ+ visibility in a state that continues to politicize our presence.”
Some local business owners are also frustrated by the move.
“Crosswalks have become a distinctive feature of the Cedar Springs community and help reinforce the area’s image as a welcoming destination for customers and visitors,” Kevin Miller, president of the Cedar Springs Merchants Association, told the outlet. “Anything that diminishes the sense of place can have a real impact on how people experience and support this community.” “
Dallas officials requested an exemption from the order in November, noting that Oak Lawn’s crosswalk design was privately funded and pointing to data showing that highly visible crosswalks actually improve pedestrian visibility. They also argued that the crosswalk design was protected speech and that removing it could violate the First Amendment.
On Monday, the Texas Department of Transportation denied the city’s request for a waiver.
According to a copy provided to Fox 4 News Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert said the state Department of Transportation said the pavement lacked proper certification and did not comply with state regulations. It also noted that the city failed to provide documentation signed and sealed by a licensed traffic engineer that the designs were safe for drivers and pedestrians.
“The Texas Department of Transportation has not provided clarification on how our crosswalks impede the safety of pedestrians and vehicles as requested in our appeal letter,” Tolbert wrote in a memo to the Dallas City Council on Friday. “Staff will work with the City Attorney’s Office to respond.”
The agency further directed the city to stop the practice of using non-standard pavement markings on roadways, warning that failure to remove the designs by Jan. 31 could result in the loss of state funds or the suspension of existing agreements between the state and the city.