Key West Installs Rainbow Crosswalks

A Conch Tour Train turns at Duval and Petronia streets Thursday, May 28, 2015, in Key West, FL, after the debut of the rainbow crossroads | Photo: Rob O'Neal, Florida Keys News Bureau/HO

The intersection of Duval and Petronia streets in Key West got a little brighter this week.

Last week, the city installed four permanent rainbow crosswalks at the Duval intersection — the heart of the island’s entertainment district, with many popular gay bars as well.

The crosswalk features all six colors of the rainbow flag, an internationally recognized gay and lesbian symbol. Workers laid pre-formed thermoplastic blocks on the pavement and heat-treated them to permanently fasten the stripes to the street.

The new crosswalks represent the city's longstanding support for diversity and equality. While they were opened to traffic early Thursday afternoon, the city will inaugurate the new landmark officially on June 10 to kick off the Key West Pride festivities.