Texas Governor Greg Abbott has instructed the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to eliminate rainbow crosswalks and other non-standard road markings across the state. He believes these markings promote political ideologies and divert taxpayer funds from their intended purpose.
Governor’s Directive on Road Markings
On Wednesday, Abbott emphasized that Texas residents expect responsible spending of taxpayer dollars. He asserted that roadways should not promote political agendas. The governor’s directive aims to remove any markings that express social, political, or ideological messages.
Funding Cuts Warning
- Abbott warned cities that refusal to comply could result in the loss of state and federal transportation funding.
- The directive mandates that symbols, flags, or designs that do not contribute to traffic safety must be removed.
In a communication to Texas cities and counties, TxDOT clarified its stance. The agency indicated that non-standard road markings could cause confusion, disrupt roadway uniformity, and compromise the effectiveness of both human and automated vehicle navigation.
Removal Timeline and Compliance
Local governments have a 30-day window to eliminate any non-compliant designs. TxDOT stated that any roadways on the state highway system receiving state funds must be modified accordingly. The recent order is particularly targeted at cities like Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston, where rainbow crosswalks have become more common.
Local Government Reactions
- Houston officials confirmed that their rainbow crosswalks would be removed to comply with this directive.
- In contrast, San Antonio officials expressed skepticism about the state’s authority to enforce such changes.
Abbott’s action aligns with a previous warning from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. In July, Duffy had urged governors to refrain from allowing political messaging on public roads, signaling potential cuts to federal funding for non-compliant cities.
This developing situation highlights the ongoing tension between local government practices and state-level directives. El-Balad will continue to monitor this story for further updates.
