AT A GLANCE
- San Antonio’s rainbow Pride crosswalk will be removed after failing to meet federal and state traffic standards.
- The city requested an exemption from TxDOT but was unable to secure the required engineering certification.
- TxDOT denied the waiver, citing violations of the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- Removal and replacement are scheduled to be completed by Jan. 15.
TxDOT Denies Waiver for Pride Crosswalk, State Rules Override City Effort
San Antonio’s well-known rainbow Pride crosswalk, a visible marker of the city’s LGBTQ Pride District, is set to be removed after state officials determined it does not meet federal traffic standards.
The crosswalk, located at North Main Avenue and East Evergreen Street, has been in place since 2018 and has long served as a symbol of inclusion in the area. Its removal follows Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive to eliminate what his administration defines as political ideologies from Texas roadways.
City officials sought an exemption from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in November, hoping to preserve the crosswalk. However, according to District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur, the city could not meet a key requirement.
“What TxDOT was requesting is an engineer to certify that the rainbow crosswalk aligns with the state regulations for aesthetic artwork,” Kaur said.
That certification never materialized.
Kaur explained that while the city hoped to demonstrate the crosswalk’s safety, the painted rainbow design does not comply with federal traffic control standards or the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which only permits specific colors and patterns for crosswalks. Rainbow designs are not allowed under those rules.
TxDOT ultimately denied the city’s waiver request, leaving San Antonio with little room to maneuver.
The city will now submit an alternative plan to TxDOT and proceed with removing and replacing the crosswalk. Officials say the work will be completed by Jan. 15, bringing the intersection back into compliance with state and federal regulations.
While the Pride crosswalk’s removal marks the end of a highly visible symbol, city leaders have emphasized that the Pride District itself remains, even if the colors on the pavement do not.
