Dallas to Remove Rainbow Crosswalks Under State Directive

City faces losing road funding if it fails to comply with TxDOT order within 90 days.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 8:31pm

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The City of Dallas has announced it will remove all non-compliant pavement markings, including 30 rainbow crosswalks representing LGBTQ+ Pride, within 90 days to comply with a directive from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The move comes after the city unsuccessfully appealed TxDOT's statewide order to remove "political" road markings or risk losing state and federal road funding.

Why it matters

The removal of the rainbow crosswalks in Dallas' "gayborhood" is seen as the latest effort by the state government to target LGBTQ+ visibility and representation. This action follows similar moves by other major Texas cities to comply with the state's directive, raising concerns about the politicization of public infrastructure and the impact on marginalized communities.

The details

Dallas will remove a total of 30 crosswalks citywide, including the rainbow crosswalks in the Oak Lawn neighborhood, to prevent the city from losing its road funding. The city had previously appealed TxDOT's order but was ultimately rejected, leaving Dallas with no choice but to comply within the 90-day deadline.

  • On October 8, 2025, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the removal of "political" road markings across Texas.
  • In November 2025, the City of Dallas appealed TxDOT's directive, but the appeal was rejected.
  • On January 30, 2026, the City of Dallas announced it would remove all non-compliant pavement markings within 90 days.

The players

Greg Abbott

The Governor of Texas who ordered the removal of "political" road markings across the state.

Sean Duffy

The U.S. Transportation Secretary who launched the SAFE ROADS initiative, which targets "distractions" on arterial roads.

City of Dallas

The local government that will be removing the rainbow crosswalks and other non-compliant pavement markings to comply with the TxDOT directive and avoid losing road funding.

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What they’re saying

“The city appreciates TxDOT's partnership in sustaining safe multimodal transportation in Dallas. The city will work with affected communities on ways to recognize their neighborhoods.”

— T.C. Tolbert, City Manager, City of Dallas (City of Dallas press release)

What’s next

The City of Dallas has 90 days from January 30, 2026, to remove all non-compliant pavement markings, including the 30 rainbow crosswalks, to avoid losing state and federal road funding.

The takeaway

The removal of the rainbow crosswalks in Dallas' LGBTQ+ neighborhood is the latest example of the Texas state government targeting visible symbols of diversity and inclusion, raising concerns about the politicization of public infrastructure and the impact on marginalized communities.