METRO announced it will re-stripe the rainbow Pride crosswalk at Westheimer and Taft in Montrose to comply with federal design and safety standards, following a directive from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
Compliance With State and Federal Rules
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County said the decision comes after correspondence from the Texas Department of Transportation and an October 8 statement from Abbott’s office instructing local jurisdictions to align roadway markings with traffic control regulations to maintain funding agreements.
“Given the recent directive, we will comply with the order to preserve support that is essential to our mission of providing safe, clean, reliable, and accessible transit to all communities,” METRO said in a statement.
Abbott’s Warning to Cities
Governor Abbott ordered TxDOT to enforce roadway guidelines and threatened to withhold state and federal funding from cities that do not comply.
“Texans expect their taxpayer dollars to be used wisely, not advance political agendas on Texas roadways,” Abbott said. “Any city that refuses to comply with the federal road standards will face consequences including the withholding or denial of state and federal road funding.”
The order came less than a week after Houston repainted the rainbow crosswalk, originally removed during a METRO construction project and later restored with funding from Pride Houston and city approval.
What’s Next for Montrose Crosswalk
METRO said it will move forward with re-striping the intersection to maintain compliance and protect funding for transit projects across the Houston area. The Pride crosswalk had been celebrated as a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community in Montrose but now must meet standard federal roadway markings.
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