The removal of Montrose’s rainbow crosswalk marks the first domino to fall under a new federal order targeting colorful street art, leaving other Houston landmarks, like murals in Third Ward and Independence Heights, facing uncertain futures.

The decision follows a letter from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urging all states to comply with the “SAFE Roads” initiative — a federal guideline requiring crosswalks and road markings to remain free of political messaging or visual distractions.