In spring 2025, multiple painted crosswalks and curb extensions, featuring local wildlife and plants, along San Antonio Street in San Marcos were completed as part of the Paint the Path project. City crews began removing the artwork April 22 to comply with a directive from the Texas Department of Transportation.
The gist
TxDOT issued a letter to municipalities across the state, including San Marcos, in October, requesting the removal of all pavement markings that do not comply with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, according to a city news release.
The Safe Arterials for Everyone through Reliable Operations and Distraction-Reducing Strategies Initiative, announced on July 1, 2025, stated that intersections and crosswalks should not feature nonstandard markings.
Pavement markings that do not serve a traffic control or safety function, such as decorative crosswalks, murals and artwork, are prohibited on travel lanes, shoulders, intersections and crosswalks in the state, according to the letter.
In the letter, TxDOT cites the possibility of these markings creating confusion, reducing the regularity of roadways and impairing effective navigation as to why they are prohibited.
The city was required to remove the noncompliant street marking within 30 days of receiving the letter unless an exception was granted with approval from TxDOT’s Traffic Safety Division.
What happened
San Marcos identified four locations in the downtown area that would be impacted by the directive, including:
Curb extensions at CM Allen Parkway between Hopkins Street and University DriveCurb extensions at San Antonio Street and Comanche StreetPainted crosswalks at San Antonio Street and Feltner AlleyPainted crosswalks at San Antonio Street and Fredericksburg Street
The city submitted an exception request for the identified artwork in November, according to the news release. TxDOT denied the request in April and required a removal plan be submitted for the locations.
The city could have faced consequences for noncompliance with the directive, according to the letter, including:
The withholding or denial of state or federal fundingThe suspension of agreements between TxDOT and the cityThe required removal or modification of noncompliant road markings in the state highway system or funded through TxDOT-administered programsGoing forward
The Paint the Path project was a collaboration between the city, Texas State University, local artists and volunteers. The project aligned with initiatives in the Downtown Area Plan approved by the City Council in November 2023.
City staff intend to meet with Paint the Path project stakeholders to discuss available alternatives to the crosswalks and curb extensions, according to the news release.