Crosswalks at Six Points, Shoreline Dr. to be repainted starting Monday

Colorful crosswalk designs at two Corpus Christi locations will be restriped beginning Monday, with lane closures expected as crews adjust to meet state standards.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Corpus Christi Public Works Department will begin removing and replacing decorative crosswalks at the Six Points intersection and on Shoreline Drive on Monday, Jan. 12, according to a memo from the City of Corpus Christi.

City crews will first remove four crosswalks at the Six Points intersection, then restripe pedestrian crossings at both locations to meet federal design and safety standards. Work will require daily lane closures and is expected to last several weeks. Motorists are urged to seek alternate routes, obey signage and exercise caution in work zones.

All business and neighborhood access will be maintained during construction, and officials said they will work to minimize disruptions.

The move follows a statewide directive from Gov. Greg Abbott aimed at eliminating nonstandard road markings. TxDOT recently denied a city request for an exemption to retain the colorful crosswalks, saying artistic designs can distract drivers and do not conform to state safety criteria.

City officials formally requested an exemption from TxDOT in late October, arguing that the crosswalks enhanced pedestrian visibility and community character. In a Nov. 25 response, TxDOT’s Traffic Safety Division rejected the request, stating that any exception would require certification from a traffic engineer confirming full compliance with state and federal standards.

The denial follows an Oct. 8 order from Abbott directing TxDOT to enforce stricter roadway safety standards under the governor’s “Safe Roads Initiative.” The initiative prohibits pavement markings, symbols, or designs that do not directly support traffic control or safety, including decorative artwork and markings that could be considered distracting.

A memo sent out by The City in December warned that failure to comply could result in the suspension of TxDOT agreements or the withholding of transportation funds.

The decision has drawn strong reactions from community members and local artists, who see the crosswalks as more than roadway markings.

Former Corpus Christi councilmember Ben Molina, who helped champion the Six Points crosswalk design, said the project was intended to bring energy and economic activity to the area. Molina said the crosswalk helped attract businesses and increased visibility for pedestrians in a historically underserved corridor.

Local artists have also expressed disappointment as the state crackdown raised concerns about public art across the city. While TxDOT’s directive initially cast uncertainty over dozens of downtown electrical box murals, city officials and the Downtown Management District later confirmed those installations are not included in the state order.

Crosswalks at Six Points, Shoreline Dr. to be repainted starting Monday

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