The city of Dallas is set to begin the removal of 30 decorative crosswalks starting Monday, adhering to a state mandate regarding roadway safety standards. Despite local leaders’ efforts to retain these vibrant and politically-themed designs, their request was ultimately rejected by state officials. The removal project is expected to take approximately three weeks.
The initiative will commence at the intersection of Cedar Springs Road and Oak Lawn Avenue, coinciding with a scheduled resurfacing project in the area to minimize traffic disruptions. City officials aim to ensure that all locations conform to state standards by the end of April.
In October 2025, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) informed city officials that the decorative crosswalks did not align with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Although the city sought an exemption to preserve these neighborhood-specific designs, TxDOT issued a final denial on January 15, 2026.
Dallas joins other Texas cities in complying with TxDOT’s directive to remove decorative road markings, facing potential loss of road funding if they did not comply. The removal and replacement process will begin on March 23, with all 30 crosswalks expected to meet state conformity standards by April 28, weather permitting.
In light of the mandate, the Office of Arts and Culture is exploring alternative methods to celebrate neighborhood identities through public art that does not involve pavement markings. To engage the community, three public meetings are scheduled in April:
- Uptown: April 6, 5:30 p.m. at Theater Three, 2688 Laclede St.
- South Dallas: April 8, 5:30 p.m. at the South Dallas Cultural Center, 3400 S. Fitzhugh
- Cedar Springs: April 10, 5:30 p.m. at the Reverchon Recreation Center, 3505 Maple Ave.
Assistant City Manager Dev Rastogi noted that the city is examining how peer cities navigate similar regulations while preserving community character.
