Texas toll road getting 85 mph speed limit

upi ^ | Sept. 7, 2012

[JoeProBono]

MUSTANG RIDGE, Texas, - Before long, a stretch of Texas toll road will have the nation's highest speed limit -- 85 mph.

Motorists desiring to zip along at that speed legally will only be able to do it about 29 minutes at a time, however. That's how long it will take to traverse the 41-mile section of Texas 130 between Mustang Ridge near Austin to Seguin going 85 mph.

The speed limit approved by the Texas Transportation Commission goes into effect when the toll road is completed, which is expected to be Nov. 11, the Houston Chronicle reported Thursday.

The 85 mph limit will put Texas ahead of Utah, where motorists are allowed to speed along at a maximum of 80 mph, the newspaper said.

Safety is a concern for some.

"Research clearly demonstrates the direct connection between higher speed limits and more fatalities," Russ Rader of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Arlington, Va., told the Chronicle. "When speed limits go up, deaths on those roads go up. When speed limits go down, deaths on those roads go down."

Chris Lippincott, a spokesman for the consortium that is building the road, said state transportation officials have determined the highway can be traveled safely at 85 mph.

"We are committed to operating a safe, reliable highway for our customers," Lippincott said. "On any road, drivers hold the key to safety based on traffic, travel conditions and the capabilities of their own vehicles."

Claiming the national speed limit record has already ignited criticism.

"As accidents pile up on on 85-mph roads, so too will insurance claims," said David Snyder of the American Insurance Association in a newspaper editorial last year. "That will lead to increased insurance costs."

How much it will cost for the privilege of driving on the road has yet to be determined.

[mylife]

Just watch out for tractors or cows entering the road!

[umgud]

There are some remote freeway stretches here in CA that you’ll get run over at 85mph.

[annieokie]

got that right, rofl.

[smokingfrog]

[cidrasm]

No, it doesn't. This road is in the Hill Country near Austin, not out in west Texas where there's nothing around for miles and miles. This will have major traffic. If it's posted 85, they'll be driving 100 mpg. Just imagine the carnage when there's an accident.

Oh good grief. I've driven this stretch several times, apparently you haven't. Currently this stretch is very lightly travelled and the current speed limit is 80mph. Turn in your man card, you have no use for it.

Unless I missed the sarcasm, in which case, carry on.

[annieokie]

"As accidents pile up on on 85-mph roads, so too will insurance claims," said David Snyder"""""

Then get out of the way, SLOW traffic on the right, please. Better yet take the service road or shoulder.

[unixfox]

Raising the speed limit to 85 on 130 and lowering it on 183? Are you kidding me?

This reeks of nothing but trying to get people to pay the toll. I avoid the toll roads every chance I get. Screw their tolls!

[JRandomFreeper]

Back in the day, I-20 headed east from El Paso, was safe at 120mph on a bike, until you hit civilization again. Which would be a while, even at 120mph.

Never got busted, suprisingly enough.

/johnny

[Nowhere Man]

Modern cars cruise at 85 like old ones did at 40...and do it safer thanks to better handling/suspensions.

Heck, my father did 140 MPH in a 1968 Buick Wildcat on I-95, I remember him taking even the 1973 Pontiac Catalina up to 110+

[Nowhere Man]

Modern cars cruise at 85 like old ones did at 40...and do it safer thanks to better handling/suspensions.

Heck, my father did 140 MPH in a 1968 Buick Wildcat on I-95, I remember him taking even the 1973 Pontiac Catalina up to 110+

[dsrtsage]

I find most accidents on freeways are not caused by speed, but people weaving in and around slow traffic.

[Nowhere Man]

Sorry about the double post

[Norm Lenhart]

Sure, the old battletanks can get there, but effortless cruising it aint. The last time I took a WS-6 equipped 70s Trans Am up to 140 I didn’t want to stay there long. Floaty as hell. And that was a supposed hot rod. (in a late 70’s sense ;)

But an Accura at 130ish feels like it’s barely in stride. Just a feel thing for me I guess.

[usconservative]

In Germany you won’t feel comfortable at far right lane at 85 mph on freeway.

I've had the good fortune to drive the Autobahn, and I'm telling you .. YOU'RE RIGHT.

Last time I was in Germany, I had a Mazda 6 Turbo-Diesel for a rental. I was doing 135kph (85mph) on the Autobahn in the right lane and getting my doors blown off. It wasn't until I was driving at about 170kph (105mph) that I was "keeping pace" with the other cars on the road.

Funny thing, that turbo-diesel didn't seem to be straining at all and still did better than 30mpg. Go figure.

[dirtboy]

I’ve driven this road myself. It is not in the Hill Country, it is out in the flatlands to the east. And it is lightly used. Most of the traffic is still on I-35. Hence it could be driven quite safely in most conditions at 85 mph.

[JoeProBono]

[deport]

Not sure this map is current in all states.

[JRandomFreeper]

Because more is always better. :)

/johnny

[Secret Agent Man]

Seems to me I have some of this road up here by the people I see driving.

[Grams A]

We have farm to market roads in Tx that are 70,,”

Or more! Tried to drive back from San Antonio to Houston last week and traffic was bumper to bumper 20 mph all the way. Finally gave up and took one of the FM Freeways.