Seeking to avoid the congestion of I-35, travelers between Austin and San Antonio have the option to take a swift journey on Texas 130, a tollway stretching 41 miles from Texas 45 near Austin to I-10 in Seguin. But speed comes at a cost, prompting Texans and visitors alike to ask whether the toll is a fair price to pay for the luxury of an 85 mile per hour speed limit, the highest in the nation.
Known as the "Pickle Parkway", State Highway 130 serves as an alternative to the traffic-laden I-35, where Texas Department of Transportation reported an overwhelming flow of truck traffic, particularly from NAFTA-related commerce in Laredo. According to Wikipedia, over 150 trucks per hour were entering the United States at this juncture during the late '90s.
The speedy roadway not only claims the title for the highest speed limit in the United States but also beats most international speed limits, with only Poland, Bulgaria, and Abu Dhabi posting higher limits at 140 km/h. This strategic stretch of toll road is designed to mitigate Interstate's heavy traffic volume by offering a faster, although toll-required, route.
An insight into the financial impact of I-35 congestion, as highlighted by the Capital Area Transportation Coalition, pointed out that businesses are hemorrhaging over $194 million annually in increased operating costs and lost productivity. In contrast, the Express News details the current toll rates of Texas 130, which vary based on the vehicle type and the exit taken, are accessible on the highway's official website.
