On Thursday, the Texas Transportation Commission approved a proposal to heavily discount the SH 130 toll road for semi trucks, in order to reduce congestion near Austin.
The toll road was originally created to help with the heavy congestion on Interstate 35, however very few drivers use the road due to the high tolls.
The discount will roll out in two phases, a 33% discount at first, and then a 50% discount in the second phase.
According to KXAN.com:
Starting April 19, all trucks on state-owned portions of SH 130 and SH 45 will only pay the three-axle rate, which is a 33 percent discount for 18-wheelers. The trip on the TxDOT owned tolls from Mustang Ridge to Georgetown will cost truck drivers $16.08 instead of $21.41. The discount is good Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The second phase of the program is slated to begin in October. Truck drivers using TxTag will have a 50% reduction from current rates, and pay the same toll rates as passenger vehicles.
“By getting some of these big rigs to use SH 130, during peak hours, we will help ease some of the gridlock we see on I-35 through Austin,” TxDot’s James Bass said.
