A new red crosswalk has been installed in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida, along South Flagler Drive, raising questions about the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) enforcement of mural removals on roadways. FDOT has been pushing to eliminate murals from roads statewide, citing concerns that certain colored paint can distract drivers and remove social, political, and ideological messaging. However, the installation of the new red crosswalk seems to contradict this stance.
The red crosswalk was installed by a developer as part of their project requirements, with the goal of bringing attention to the crosswalk for safety purposes. The city of West Palm Beach claims that the color is permitted by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The city plans to paint additional crosswalks along Flagler Drive to allow for mid-block pedestrian crossings.
This development comes after FDOT’s removal of a rainbow crosswalk in Delray Beach, which was painted in honor of the victims of the Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooting. The removal was met with opposition from the city and the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, who argued that the mural did not pose a hazard and actually resulted in fewer crashes at the intersection.
Rand Hoch, founder of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, has questioned FDOT’s consistency in enforcing their policies. He notes that while the rainbow crosswalk was removed, the new red crosswalk in West Palm Beach seems to be allowed. Hoch also called for a new judge to preside over the future of the Delray Beach mural, as the current adjudicator is an FDOT employee.
Meanwhile, a nearly mile-long road mural along Rosemary Avenue, featuring various designs, remains intact despite FDOT’s efforts to remove it. However, residents have expressed concerns about the safety of the mural, citing confusion among drivers and near-misses. FDOT has not responded to requests for comment about the discrepancy in their enforcement.
The city plans to repave the roadway of Rosemary Avenue, but no specific dates have been set. The inconsistency in FDOT’s enforcement has raised questions about their priorities and the safety of roadways in the area. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how FDOT will address the concerns of residents and the city.
