Lexington, August 24, 2025
News Summary
Despite safety concerns raised by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy regarding the rainbow crosswalk in downtown Lexington, city officials, including Mayor Linda Gorton, reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the crosswalk. Installed in 2017, the crosswalk symbolizes community pride. Local officials assert that it complies with safety standards and has not been linked to accidents. The ongoing SAFE ROADS program aims to enhance roadway safety, while studies have shown that artistic crosswalks can reduce crash rates significantly.
Lexington officials, including Mayor Linda Gorton, have confirmed their commitment to maintaining the rainbow crosswalk located in downtown Lexington, despite the recent safety concerns raised by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. According to the city officials, there are no plans to cover or remove the crosswalk, which has become a symbol of community pride since its initial installation for Pride month in 2017.
Secretary Duffy issued a report expressing that the rainbow design could be a potential “distraction” for drivers, prompting his concerns regarding roadway safety. The report aligns with an ongoing federal initiative called the SAFE ROADS program, which has garnered attention due to rising roadway fatalities. It suggests that over half of the roadway fatalities in 2023 occurred on non-freeway or expressway arterials, emphasizing the need for enhanced safety measures…