Texas governor targets 'political agendas' on roads; Montrose rainbow crosswalk to be removed

Montrose rainbow crosswalk to be removed following Gov. Abbott's directive

The rainbow crosswalk that was recently reinstalled in Houston's Montrose neighborhood will be removed after Gov. Greg Abbott sent TxDOT a directive to ensure the removal of all "political ideologies" from roadways.

HOUSTON - The Texas Department of Transportation has been directed to ensure the removal of all "political ideologies" from roadways. 

In his directive on Wednesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said non-standard signs and markings are unsafe misuses of tax dollars. 

Cities who refuse to comply with federal standards could now risk losing funding for road projects.

Texas governor gives TxDOT directive

What we know:

Abbott's Wednesday press release directs TxDOT to ensure that all cities and counties in Texas are compliant with road safety guidelines. 

The release says any "non-standard surface markings, signage, and signals that do not directly support traffic control or safety" are unlawful and dangerous. 

Examples of prohibited material include symbols, flags, or other markings conveying social, political, or ideological messages.

Any city that does not comply with federal road standards could now have state and federal funding for roadway projects withheld, as well as standing TxDOT agreements suspended, the release says.

What they're saying:

"Texans expect their taxpayer dollars to be used wisely, not advance political agendas on Texas roadways," Abbott said in his Wednesday release. "Today, I directed the Texas Department of Transportation to ensure Texas counties and cities remove any and all political ideologies from our streets. To keep Texans moving safely and free from distraction, we must maintain a safe and consistent transportation network across Texas."

Montrose rainbow crosswalk

Local perspective:

In Montrose, a rainbow crosswalk was installed at the intersection of Westheimer and Taft Street back in 2017. It was later removed for roadway construction. The rainbow painted crosswalk was recently reinstalled. 

Kerry Ann Morrison, President of Pride Houston 365, says this is more about politics and hate, not safety. 

"Saying this is because of compliance and ideologies...we know that it's a farce, we know that it's not true," said Morrison. "It's because of our current President. The current climate that we're living in. It's kinda gut wrenching….we are in America, where freedom, liberty and justice are what we stand on - but we don't. We have this that we now have to fight against. And why? When we've done this already." 

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) said it will re-stripe the pavement at the intersection to bring the crosswalk into compliance with federal design and safety standards. 

In a statement, METRO said: 

"The adjustment follows recent correspondence from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and a statement from the Office of the Governor, dated October 8, 2025, directing all local jurisdictions to ensure roadway markings align with federal and state traffic control and safety regulations to maintain existing and future state and federal funding, as well as agreements such as those for operating HOV lanes and rail crossings.

We recognize the significance this crosswalk has to the community, which is why our project team restored the infrastructure to its pre-construction condition. However, given the recent directive, we will comply with the order to preserve support that is essential to our mission of providing safe, clean, reliable, and accessible transit to all communities that depend on our services."

The Neartown/Montrose Superneighborhood Association met on Thursday evening and talked about possible alternatives ahead of the rainbow crosswalk being removed. 

District C Councilmember Abbie Kamin released this statement to FOX 26 Thursday: 

"This isn’t just about the Pride flag, this is about the American flag. Greg Abbott has no legal basis to interfere with the people of Houston. He’s obsessing about paint colors instead of focusing on real issues like skyrocketing grocery prices and home insurance premiums. As the most diverse city in the nation we should not cower to wanna-be Trumps trampling on the rights of our communities."

What we don't know:

Abbott did not refer to specific instances of political road markings in his release. METRO hasn't said when it will restripe the crosswalk.