Dallas, October 10, 2025
News Summary
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a directive requiring Dallas and other cities to remove rainbow crosswalks, aligning with federal safety enforcement. Cities have 30 days to comply to avoid losing state and federal transportation funding. This initiative, while not explicitly targeting rainbow crosswalks, raises concerns over discrimination against the LGBTQ community and could impact other politically-themed crosswalks. Dallas officials are set to review the directive and notify the City Council on necessary actions.
Dallas — Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a directive to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) on October 8, 2025, initiating enforcement that could require the removal of rainbow crosswalks in Dallas and threaten state and federal transportation funding for noncompliant cities and counties.
What the directive requires and immediate consequences
The directive mandates that cities and counties must ensure compliance with roadway safety standards. Under the order, cities have 30 days to comply with removing the crosswalks or risk losing state and federal transportation funding and partnerships. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned governors that non-compliance could jeopardize federal road funding, aligning the state-level directive with more stringent federal enforcement actions.
Scope and targets
Although the directive did not specifically mention rainbow crosswalks, the rainbow is a widely recognized symbol of LGBTQ pride.
The Oak Lawn neighborhood of Dallas, which hosts nine rainbow crosswalks, has historically been the center of the city’s gay community. The rainbow crosswalks currently run along Cedar Springs Road from Reagan Street to Douglas Avenue. The city of Dallas plans to review the directive and notify the City Council about necessary actions.
Federal rule and national context
The directive aligns with a federal Department of Transportation announcement on stricter enforcement of a 2013 Federal Highway Administration rule that states art in crosswalks, except for specific earth-tone patterns, negatively impacts pedestrian safety. The recent order follows a national initiative from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to eliminate artwork and political messaging from roads, a move framed by federal officials as enforcement of existing safety guidance.
Funding leverage and timelines
The combined state directive and federal enforcement warning place financial pressure on local governments by tying compliance to transportation funding and partnerships. In Dallas, officials have been given 30 days to respond under the directive, while at the same time, observers note that the future of colorful crosswalks in North Texas remains uncertain, with no clear deadlines set for compliance in broader regional or municipal contexts.
Additional local and national details
Critics argue that the directive can be seen as discriminatory against the LGBTQ community. In addition to rainbow crosswalks, other political-themed crosswalks, such as Black Lives Matter, may also face removal under the stricter interpretation of the federal rule and state enforcement.
Crosswalk art in Florida was controversially removed earlier this summer, including one outside Pulse nightclub, a site of a 2016 mass shooting. State and federal officials cite pedestrian safety standards as the primary justification for removals, while opponents point to cultural, historical and community-expression considerations.
Local response and possible next steps
The city of Dallas will formally review the directive and prepare any recommendations or actions for the City Council. Political and legal implications surrounding the directive may lead to pushback similar to that experienced in other states where colorful crosswalks were removed. Governor Abbott emphasized that taxpayer dollars should not be used to promote political agendas on roadways, and state agencies will move to enforce the directive through TxDOT coordination with local governments.
Background
Rainbow crosswalks have been used in dozens of U.S. cities as symbols of community identity and support for LGBTQ people. The 2013 Federal Highway Administration rule cited by enforcement officials restricts artistic or patterned crosswalk treatments outside of prescribed earth-tone markings that are considered to preserve pedestrian visibility and safety.
FAQ
What action did the governor take?
Governor Greg Abbott issued a directive to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) on October 8, 2025.
What does the directive require?
The directive mandates that cities and counties must ensure compliance with roadway safety standards.
How long do cities have to comply?
Cities have 30 days to comply with removing the crosswalks or risk losing state and federal transportation funding and partnerships.
Did the directive explicitly name rainbow crosswalks?
Although the directive did not specifically mention rainbow crosswalks, the rainbow is a widely recognized symbol of LGBTQ pride.
Where are the affected crosswalks in Dallas?
The Oak Lawn neighborhood of Dallas, which hosts nine rainbow crosswalks, has historically been the center of the city’s gay community.
Which streets carry the rainbow crosswalks?
The rainbow crosswalks currently run along Cedar Springs Road from Reagan Street to Douglas Avenue.
Is this part of a wider federal effort?
The recent order follows a national initiative from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to eliminate artwork and political messaging from roads.
What did the federal transportation secretary warn?
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned governors that non-compliance could jeopardize federal road funding.
What will the city of Dallas do next?
The city of Dallas plans to review the directive and notify the City Council about necessary actions.
Is the outcome in North Texas certain?
The future of colorful crosswalks in North Texas remains uncertain, with no clear deadlines set for compliance.
Have similar actions occurred elsewhere?
Crosswalk art in Florida was controversially removed earlier this summer, including one outside Pulse nightclub, a site of a 2016 mass shooting.
Are there concerns about discrimination?
Critics argue that the directive can be seen as discriminatory against the LGBTQ community.
Could other themed crosswalks be affected?
In addition to rainbow crosswalks, other political-themed crosswalks, such as Black Lives Matter, may also face removal.
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Governor directive date | Governor Greg Abbott issued a directive to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) on October 8, 2025. | State-level |
| Compliance requirement | The directive mandates that cities and counties must ensure compliance with roadway safety standards. | State-level |
| Funding timeline | Cities have 30 days to comply with removing the crosswalks or risk losing state and federal transportation funding and partnerships. | State-level |
| Federal initiative | The recent order follows a national initiative from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to eliminate artwork and political messaging from roads. | Nationwide |
| Local impact | The Oak Lawn neighborhood of Dallas, which hosts nine rainbow crosswalks, has historically been the center of the city’s gay community. | City of Dallas |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Governor Greg Abbott Calls for Removal of Pride Symbols in Texas
Additional Resources
- CBS News
- Dallas News
- NBC DFW
- Fox 4 News
- WFAA
- Wikipedia: Rainbow Crosswalk
- Google Search: Rainbow Crosswalks Texas
- Google Scholar: Rainbow Crosswalks Government Directive
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Rainbow Crosswalks
- Google News: Rainbow Crosswalks Texas
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
