The Texas Department of Transportation and the State Highway 130 Concession Company, LLC opened Texas State Highway 130 between Austin and San Antonio, October 24, 2012. The new roadway, which spans 41 miles from Mustang Ridge to IH 10 in Seguin is an extension of TX 130 segments 1 – 4 from Georgetown to just south of Austin’s airport.
TxDOT has approved an 85 mph speed limit for the 40-mile stretch of TX 130 from Austin to Seguin. According to reporting in the Texas Tribune, “Under TxDOT’s contract with the SH 130 Concession Company, the firm had to pay TxDOT an extra $67 million if the new road received an 80 mph speed limit. If the road received the coveted 85 mph speed limit, TxDOT’s bonus jumped to $100 million.”
“SH 130 is an outstanding highway and a great example of how transportation solutions can be realized when government and the private sector work together on behalf of all Texans,” said Ted Houghton, Chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission. “Commuters and business people traveling through central Texas no longer have to deal with congestion, and best of all, taxpayers did not get the bill.”
“Thanks to SH 130, traffic flowing along one of America’s most important trading routes has a new option, which will help ease travel time for motorists in the area” Governor Rick Perry said.
Beginning Nov. 11, the toll rate will be set at $0.15 per mile for passenger vehicles using TxTag. Cars and trucks without a TxTag may also use the road and will be billed via TxDOT’s pay-by-mail service. Using the 90 miles of toll road between Seguin and Georgetown will cost about $12.
As TX 130 is posted 80-85 MPH, drivers are reminded to pay attention, buckle seatbelts, put away their cell phones, use the left lane for passing only, never drink and drive, and obey all traffic laws.
SOURCE – TxDOT
More reading
Texas State Highway 130 rate details.
Texas Tribune article – TxDOT Approves 85 MPH Limit for Stretch of Toll Road
