In The News

Texas takes aim at first 85 mph roadway

Texas could have its first posted 85 mph roadway sometime in the next few months. Engineers are testing a section of the State Highway 130 toll road being built between San Antonio and Austin to see if it meets the standards prescribed in a state law passed last year.

A spokesman for the Texas Department of Transportation says the agency will not compromise safety just to obtain the 85 mph designation for SH130, specifically the 41-mile section of the state-owned toll road between Lockhart and Seguin. The road is being built as congestion relief to Interstate 35.

“Segments 5 and 6 are scheduled to open sometime in the coming months,” TxDOT Information Specialist Mark Cross told Land Line. “We are looking at and trying to complete final testing to see if the roadway can actually be maxed at 85 mph.”

SH130 would be the first roadway in the state to possibly meet the standard of the law passed in 2011.

“It may end up being posted at 85 if the tests show that is a safe and reasonable speed for that roadway,” Cross said. “Safety is the real key here, and that’s the real goal. We want to make sure that it can only be that speed limit if it’s safe and reasonable.”

Once completed, the toll road will hook in to the completed portion of SH130 just north of Austin at Georgetown. It will be 91 miles in total length.

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