DALLAS — Crews in Dallas began removing 30 decorative crosswalks Monday, including rainbow Pride designs in Oak Lawn and Black Lives Matter markings in South Dallas, following a state directive that the city had unsuccessfully appealed for months.
The city’s Transportation and Public Works Department started the removal at Cedar Springs Road and Oak Lawn Avenue, coordinating the work with a planned resurfacing project to minimize traffic disruption. All 30 crosswalks are expected to be removed and replaced with compliant designs by April 28.
The dispute began in October 2025 when Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the removal of “political” road markings statewide, citing non-standard designs that could distract drivers. Dallas appealed, arguing that colorful crosswalks can improve pedestrian visibility, but the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) rejected the appeal, citing safety standards and lack of licensed engineer certification.
Of the crosswalks being removed, 10 are rainbow designs in Oak Lawn, 16 Black Lives Matter markings in South Dallas, and four individualized art crosswalks in Uptown. The original rainbow crosswalks, installed in 2020, cost $128,250 and were funded by the North Texas LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
Community leaders have expressed disappointment over the removals. Deborah Hopes, president of Remembering Black Dallas, called the decision “deeply disappointing,” noting it diminishes recognition of Black lives and local culture.
The city’s Office of Arts and Culture is now seeking alternatives and will host three community engagement sessions to explore neighborhood identity projects for the affected areas. Dallas is one of the last major Texas cities to comply with the state order, following Houston, Austin, and Laredo.