Austin Removes Rainbow Crosswalks Following Federal Safety Study Termination
Austin, Texas, has repainted three experimental crosswalks with standard white lines after the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) terminated a safety study and directed the city to restore the sites to their original condition. The decision follows a broader push by the Trump administration to eliminate what it deems “political messaging” from America’s roads.
Study and Removal Details
The three crosswalks – located at Morrow Street at Watson Street, Manor Road at Leona Street, and Pedernales Street at Webberville Road – were installed in October 2024 as part of an FHWA pilot program. The study aimed to determine whether colorful or patterned pavement markings affected pedestrian safety. Two of the crosswalks featured rainbow designs, while the third resembled brick pavers. KUT News reports that all three were repainted by Wednesday evening, February 18, 2026, to comply with the FHWA’s deadline.
Federal Findings and City Research
The FHWA canceled the project in November, citing “adverse safety concerns.” According to a letter from FHWA Director of Transportation Operations Mark Kehrli, the aesthetic treatments “were found to degrade both the detection and recognition of the crosswalk as a traffic control device for pedestrians with low vision.”
However, the city’s own research, shared with the FHWA, presented mixed findings. While some aesthetic treatments appeared to improve driver stopping rates for pedestrians, the colorful crosswalks similarly “caused confusion,” particularly for pedestrians with low vision. A city report indicated that slightly more than half of low-vision participants preferred the standard white crosswalk stripes. KUT News also reported that crash data at the three Austin sites showed little change, with annualized crash rates declining from 0.2 crashes per year to zero, and no pedestrian-involved crashes before or after installation.
Broader Context and State Regulations
The removal of the crosswalks is part of a larger trend. The U.S. Transportation Secretary previously urged states to remove “distractions” from roadways. Texas has also tightened its regulations regarding road markings, banning those with “political or advocacy messages of any nature.” KUT News notes that Austin is awaiting a decision from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) regarding the fate of 12 other decorative pavement markings, including a rainbow crosswalk at Fourth and Colorado streets, a “Black Artists Matter” mural, and a large “TEXAS” painting.
Onion Creek Park Mural Remains
City officials determined that a mural at Onion Creek Metropolitan Park, commemorating the deadly 2013 floods, did not violate the state’s directive. The Onion Creek Metro Park District website details the park’s history and development following the passage of Senate Bill 1872 in 2013, which provided funding for park improvements.
A final technical report from the FHWA is expected in the spring.