In The News

SH 45 Southeast Completes Bypass Around Austin Traffic Congestion

AUSTIN, TX – TxDOT opens a new chapter in convenient travel around Austin traffic congestion with the opening of the SH 45 Southeast toll road. Drivers will be able to avoid traffic congestion through central Austin and travel nonstop from north of Georgetown to the Buda/Creedmoor area on the 55-mile toll road east of I-35.

The 7.4 mile-long four-lane SH 45 SE links SH 130 to I-35, starting at U.S. 183 near Mustang Ridge and ending at the intersection of I-35 and FM 1327, north of Buda.

Motorists will get a free test drive on the new toll road this month. SH 45 SE will be free for all motorists until June 1 and free for TxTag users until July 1. SH 45 SE, unlike SH 130, uses an all-electronic tolling system and has no cash toll booths. Drivers without toll tags will still be able to use the new toll road through the state’s innovative Pay By Mail program.

When a driver without an electronic toll tag uses the toll road, a camera will capture a picture of the license plate, and the owner of the vehicle will get a bill in the mail. The toll rates on SH 45 SE for passenger vehicles and pickups with a TxTag will be $1 at the mainline gantry and 66 cents at the tolled ramps.