Tom Warne Report, 14 September 2012
AUSTIN – A future toll road in Central Texas is going to have the fastest speed limits in the country at 85 miles per hour. Speed limits on Highway 183, a free-access road that runs parallel to the new toll road are 65 mph. The state lowered the speed to 55 mph during the three-year construction, and the state says it will likely keep the speed limit at 55 mph when both roads reopen.
“I don’t expect the majority of the people to go that fast, but it will be available there if you need it,” said Lockhart Mayor Lew White. State toll road SH 130 is expected to run nearly right through his city.
The Texas Department of Transportation says the new toll road has been designed and tested for high speeds of travel. SH 130 Concessions paid the state to own and operate the new toll road, and funded a study which set the 55 mph speed limit on Highway 183.
“Safety is our top priority and tests have shown the designated speed is a safe one,” said Veronica Beyer with TxDOT. “We look forward to opening this segment of SH 130, which will help reduce congestion for the Austin/San Antonio corridor by providing Texas drivers and other with an alternate route for traveling through our great state.”