The City of Corpus Christi began repaving and repainting over colorful crosswalks in town after an appeal was shot down by TxDOT.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The City of Corpus Christi has begun removing and restriping several decorative crosswalks following a state directive that says the designs do not meet federal roadway safety standards.
City crews started work Monday at the Six Points intersection, where four decorative crosswalks are being removed and repainted to comply with federal design guidelines. The changes come after a governor’s order requiring the removal of “artfully colored” intersections that fail to meet federal safety standards.
Public Works officials say the restriping project will also impact decorative crosswalks along Shoreline Drive.
The city is using daily lane closures at Six Points to remove existing pavement markings and restore the roadway surface. Work at both locations is expected to last several weeks.
City officials say access to surrounding neighborhoods and businesses will be maintained throughout the project. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes when possible, remain alert in work zones and follow posted signage.
The city says the restriping effort is intended to improve roadway visibility and ensure compliance with federal roadway safety standards.
The move follows a statewide directive from Gov. Greg Abbott aimed at eliminating nonstandard road markings.
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.