Two of Corpus Christi’s colorful crosswalks have been ordered for removal after an unsuccessful appeal to the state’s transportation department.
One crosswalk, located at Twigg Street and North Shoreline Boulevard, features a green, white and blue pattern, inspired by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
The other, a blue-and-white design intended to evoke the bay, highlights the crossing at the Six Points intersection.
The decision follows an October directive from Gov. Greg Abbott that compelled cities and counties to “remove any and all political ideologies from our streets.”
“To keep Texans moving safely and free from distraction, we must maintain a safe and consistent transportation network across Texas,” he stated in the Oct. 8 news release. “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 and suspension of agreements with TxDOT.”
City officials had attempted to save the crosswalks, requesting an exemption from the Texas Department of Transportation.
That request was denied, according to city officials.
In a letter dated Nov. 26, TxDOT officials wrote that the agency did “not consider this exception request acceptable,” according to a city memo dated Dec. 15.
The crosswalks did not comply with provisions of the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, staff wrote.
Both crosswalks had been installed in 2022.
Removal will begin in January, according to the memo.
The cost of installing the crosswalks and their subsequent removal will cost about $35,000, City Manager Peter Zanoni told the Caller-Times in October.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Two colorful Corpus Christi crosswalks will be removed. Here’s why.
Reporting by Kirsten Crow, Corpus Christi Caller Times / Corpus Christi Caller Times
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