The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) gave local municipalities a decision this month: remove murals from roads or possibly lose state funding.
FDOT orders cities to remove ‘asphalt art’ or risk losing funding
Boynton Beach said on Wednesday it would repave an intersection, originally painted to match an LGBTQ pride flag after the state sent a memo to the city and other municipalities in June. The state argues murals jeopardize both driver and pedestrian safety in a memo sent to cities on June 30, 2025 that WPTV obtained.
“Non-standard surface markings, signage and signals that do not directly contribute to traffic safety or control can lead to distractions or misunderstandings, jeopardize both driver and pedestrian safety,” it reads. “Furthermore, uniform and consistent application of pavement surface markings is critical for the overall effectiveness of automated vehicle operation, as automated vehicle technologies rely heavily on consistent traffic control devices.”
The FDOT, led by Gov. Ron DeSantis, sent the letter one day before the U.S. Department of Transportation sent a letter asking state governments to identify dangerous roads and eliminate distractions…