Crews begin painting rainbow crosswalks ahead of Pride

ATLANTA — Volunteers began painting rainbow crosswalks at a busy midtown intersection Thursday night ahead of Pride weekend in Atlanta.

The work began around 7 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of Piedmont Avenue and 10^th Street. Workers used fast-drying paint that takes about 15-20 minutes to dry in order to have the least impact on traffic in the area.

A ribbon-cutting for the crosswalks will be held on Friday.

The painted crosswalks will remain in place until Oct. 16.

Supporters initially fought for the crosswalks to be permanent. The city originally approved the permanent project, but then decided it had safety concerns, so it made the organization's permit temporary.

After the 16th,the Atlanta Rainbow Crosswalks organization has 24 hours to remove the paint.

Robert Sepulveda, who headed up the project, says he is still petitioning the mayor’s office to make it permanent. He says Kwanza Hall has been helpful with trying to find a permanent solution.

Sepulveda says it comes down to the mayor's office to give the final OK. He says there are many cities that fall under the same Federal Transportation guidelines, which have allowed similar rainbow crosswalks to remain. Sepulveda's organization is urging the mayor to allow the crosswalks to stay.

The project was paid for by private and donated funds.

WSBTV