DOT Orders Lubbock, Texas to Remove Crosswalk Honoring Buddy Holly

The order follows a federal directive to remove any street embellishments that indicate social or political messages.

1 minute read

November 18, 2025, 8:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Crosswalk in Lubbock, Texas painted with Buddy Holly style glasses.

City of Lubbock / X

Lubbock, Texas city council members say they will be forced to remove an artistic crosswalk depicting Buddy Holly’s iconic eyeglasses that adorns an intersection next to the Buddy Holly Center in that city, the singer’s hometown.

As Juan A. Lozano reports for the Associated Press, the crosswalk was first installed in 2020 to honor the city’s most famous resident. This year, the city received a letter from the Texas Department of Transportation that included “some harsh wording” threatening the loss of state or federal funding if the crosswalk was not removed. Earlier this year, a federal directive took aim at rainbow-striped crosswalks and other ‘artistic’ traffic signage.

Although city officials say they believe the order was broader and not aimed specifically at the Buddy Holly crosswalk, the city will have to comply. 

Friday, November 14, 2025 in Associated Press

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