State-shaped Texas landmark on 1-20 being removed

DALLAS - The iconic Texas flag landmark on I-20 is being removed due to public safety concerns.

The state-shaped Texas flag landmark has been in the grassy area at Spur 408 and the interstate since 2010. A local turf company offered to put it there, and TX-DOT agreed.

But in recent years, the landmark has become widely popular and has attracted far more traffic than highway officials thought was safe. TxDOT is worried there will be accidents along the stretch from those who pull off the road get their picture taken and then pull back onto the highway into the far left lane.

"My challenge was not busting my tires and just finding a safe way to get off of the speeding traffic," said Kara Jones, who stopped by to see the landmark before it's removed.

TxDOT began removing the stones around the landmark on Monday and will finish the job Tuesday morning. It will be moved to a neighboring city.

“The emblem is a source of local pride, and TxDOT is pleased to coordinate with the City of Grand Prairie to find a new, safe location that will allow visitors to access and enjoy it,” the department said.

Dallas County Sheriff's Office patrols the stretch of highway and says there have not been any accidents in recent memory attributed from people stopping to sight see. Regardless, TxDOT wants to prevent one before it happens.

TxDOT says Grand Prairie has more than one location it is considering but nothing chosen yet.