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Ribbon-cutting Ceremony Opens 27 miles of the Central Texas Turnpike System
"I’ve been with the department for nearly 35 years and I’ve never seen this many miles of highway opened in one day," said TxDOT Executive Director Mike Behrens.
Several hundred people braved a cold north wind to attend the mid–morning event just west of the State Highway 45 North and Loop 1 Interchange.
The $3.6 billion project—one of the largest toll–financed projects in the United States—is ahead of schedule and under budget. Construction on the SH 45N and Loop 1 elements began in February 2003. Work on SH 130 started in October that year.
An additional 13 miles of SH 130 from U.S. 79 to Interstate 35 will open in December, and the segment from U.S. 290 to U.S. 183 is due to open in late 2007.
"This is one step in about 100 steps this state will take in the next 25 years to do something no state in the U.S. has ever been able to do," said Transportation Commission Chairman Ric Williamson.
Motorists in and around the Austin area are already taking advantage of the improved commute. Just a week after opening, morning rush hour numbers were near 34,000 and evening numbers near 43,000, with a total of close to 160,000 for a 24-hour period.
Austin District Engineer Bob Daigh said about the roadway: "Not only will this project improve safety and mobility, it will bring an improved quality of life."
TxDOT is also enrolling TxTag® customers via the internet or by telephone at 1-888-GoTxTag (1-888-468-9824).
