AUSTIN (KXAN) On Wednesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Department of Transportation to tighten the state’s roadway safety guidelines and enforce cities and counties to “remove any and all political ideologies from our streets.”

The directive could include installations like downtown Austin’s iconic rainbow-colored crosswalk.

“Texans expect their taxpayer dollars to be used wisely, not advance political agendas on Texas roadways,” Abbott said. 

At the governor’s direction, TxDOT must ensure all counties and cities remove any and all political ideologies from Texas streets. Abbott said, in part, “To keep Texas moving safely and free from distraction, we must maintain a safe and consistent transportation network across Texas.” 

In August, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to governors across the country urging them to participate in a national road safety initiative. According to previous reporting, that initiative included removing artwork or political messages from streets. 

Duffy didn’t specifically point to rainbow crosswalks, but suggested those types of displays were unsafe. 

What happens if cities don’t comply? 

According to the release, cities not in compliance will face consequences including withholding or the denial of state and federal road funding, and suspension of agreements with TxDOT.

Other metroplexes in Texas such as Dallas, Houston and San Antonio also have rainbow crosswalks installed on their roadways.

The city of Austin unveiled the rainbow crosswalk landmark located at the intersection of 4th and Colorado streets in 2021.