State Safety Directive Forces Removal of Buddy Holly-Themed Crosswalk in Lubbock

A crosswalk dedicated to rock and roll legend Buddy Holly is set to be removed from downtown Lubbock next year, following a warning from state officials about the safety violations posed by the artwork and the symbolic markings on the roadways.

This week, city leaders announced that the crosswalk, which was painted in 2020 near the Buddy Holly Center and showcases the musician’s iconic black-rimmed glasses, will be removed to adhere to a statewide directive enforcing federal traffic-safety regulations. The Texas Department of Transportation has sent a letter to Lubbock, cautioning that the presence of nonstandard roadway art must be addressed to avoid potential risks to state or federal transportation funding.

David Bragg, serving as Lubbock’s interim division director of public works, informed City Council members that the letter contained “some harsh wording” and seemed to cover a wide range of issues. “I don’t believe it was meant to target, for instance, the Buddy Holly glasses,” he stated. “Regrettably, it did.”

The directive comes in response to mandates from Gov. Greg Abbott and the Trump administration that urge cities and counties to remove political symbols, murals, and other non-traffic-related artwork from streets and intersections. Recently, cities such as Laredo and Orlando have taken action to remove murals or themed crosswalks after receiving similar notices.

City Council Member Christy Martinez-Garcia stated that residents have consistently welcomed the Holly-themed marking. “It’s a well-curated selection, and people appreciate it. So, what actions do you take? ” she stated, expressing her disagreement with the rationale while recognizing the city's constrained choices.

Mayor Mark McBrayer stated that the council received numerous messages from residents advocating for the preservation of the crosswalk. Still, he concluded that the city lacked the necessary resources or legal basis to contest the order. “I don’t really feel like we have the resources to address that without resorting to legal action,” he said. “I believe there’s a lack of interest here regardless.”

According to Bragg, the removal is scheduled to take place as part of the regular street maintenance planned for next year.

Abbott’s October directive mandated that TxDOT ensure all roadway markings across the state adhere to federal standards while also banning symbols, flags, or imagery that might be interpreted as political messages. “Texans anticipate that their taxpayer funds will be utilized judiciously, rather than to promote political agendas on Texas roadways,” Abbott remarked in a statement at that time.

Holly, who was born in Lubbock in 1936, gained widespread recognition with popular songs such as “That’ll Be the Day,” “Peggy Sue,” and “Rave On.” His tragic passing in a plane crash in 1959 solidified his status as a pivotal figure in the early rock era.