Two crosswalks will be removed this month, in line with a new Texas state policy banning 鈥渘on-standard surface markings, signage, and signals that do not directly support traffic control or safety.鈥�
While the artworks in front of Bedford Junior High and Harwood Junior High are not political in nature, the city was unable to secure exemptions for them to remain in place.
The artworks, featuring colorful designs of abstract shapes and tentacles, were created by students in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District. The city said in a press release that it was able to connect with the family of the Harwood Junior High artist. The Bedford Junior High artist鈥檚 contact information, however, has not been found.
City officials 鈥渨as not made locally nor taken lightly,鈥� but is instead a 鈥渄irect result鈥� of an Oct. 8 .
鈥淲e are truly disappointed to lose these meaningful pieces of community art, which brought color, pride, and student creativity to our school zones,鈥� according to the release.
The release noted that under new state policy, the Texas Department of Transportation requires municipalities 鈥渢o remove non-standard markings or risk losing state and federal transportation funding and future agreements with the agency.鈥�
Work to begin removing the artworks in Bedford is scheduled to begin on November 24. It is expected to take less than a week to complete.
As 四虎影院 previously reported, Abbott鈥檚 order is identical to a crosswalk ban enforced in Florida earlier this year. Both orders say they follow a July memo from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who urged governors to remove political messages from streets.
In Florida, the ban was enforced broadly to include removing a 鈥淏ack the Blue鈥� street mural, painted bike lanes outside an elementary school and a racing-themed crosswalk outside the Daytona International Speedway, according to .
In Texas, some cities, like Houston, complied with Abbott's order immediately, , while others like Austin and San Antonio .
Rainbow crosswalks in Dallas are under fire thanks to the directive, although some local churches have painted their steps rainbow colors to protest the move. It鈥檚 not clear yet what will happen to these crosswalks, as the city has since requested an exemption.
In Lubbock, hometown of Buddy Holly, crosswalk paintings of the singer鈥檚 glasses are also .
This article includes previous reporting by Dylan Duke.
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