ORLANDO, Fla. — Traffic signs now warn people on the sidewalk next to the Pulse memorial crosswalk on Orange Avenue and Esther Street that defacing the roadway is prohibited.
This comes after the Florida Department of Transportation has repeatedly painted over the crosswalk to its traditional black and white stripes since the controversy started on Aug. 20.
Day after day, residents and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community have colored in the lines of the crosswalk with either chalk or paint, returning the surface to its former rainbow colors.
Traffic signs at the intersection of Orange Avenue and Esther Street say “Defacing roadway prohibited” and “No impeding traffic.”
It has been over a week since FDOT crews first repainted the rainbow-colored crosswalk without warning the city of Orlando.
Later that week, the state agency sent a letter to city officials and other Florida municipalities, ordering the removal of at least 14 separate pavement markings that state officials say don’t comply with guidelines for the appearance of crosswalks, sidewalks and roadways.
They gave the city until Sept. 4 to make the changes or face losing state funds.
On Aug. 27, Orlando announced crews had started replacing previously state-approved crosswalks and intersection treatments with traditional pavement markings.
“Per the orders from the state, these previously approved treatments must be replaced with traditional pavement markings. As a municipal government, the City of Orlando must comply with state and federal law, and we will begin this work at the locations listed below beginning Wednesday, August 27, 2025, and it is expected to continue for several days. Expect delays and minor detours from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.,” the city’s statement read.
Chalk on the sidewalk near the Pulse crosswalk says “FDOT go away.” (Spectrum News/Alex Adley)
Those locations include:
South Rosalind Avenue at East Jackson Street
Church Street at South Rosalind Avenue
Magnolia Avenue at East Concord Street
Orange Avenue at Concord Street
North Orange Avenue at East Central Boulevard
South Orange Avenue at East Pine Street
South Orange Avenue at Church Street
Summerlin Avenue at Washington Street
Amelia Street at Ronald Blocker Avenue
Amelia Street at Chatham Avenue
Amelia Street at Putnam Avenue
Central Boulevard at North Eola Drive
West Kaley Avenue at South Division Avenue
Corrine Drive at East End Avenue
As of Wednesday, Aug. 27, crews have completed two of the 14 crosswalks.