Texas opens highway with 85 mph speed limit, fastest in America

[Doomsday101]

SAN ANTONIO – On one brand new stretch of toll road southeast of Austin, Texas, you can cruise at 85 mph and not worry about being pulled over for speeding.

That’s because starting Wednesday, on this 41-mile segment of road, 85 mph is the legal speed limit. It’s the highest in the country, and some are wondering whether it might be a little too high.

The new section of toll road provides an alternative to I-35, the congested artery that’s the spine of the Texas highway system. People who have driven between San Antonio and Austin can attest to the traffic -- it can be bumper to bumper. In addition to long haul truckers headed from the border to the interior of the U.S. and back, there are also soccer moms hopping on and off to get to Walmart and thousands of suburban commuters headed into the office.

So an alternate highway makes sense, but why 85 mph? Clearly drivers want to get where they’re going faster, and at 85 mph, the new toll road potentially cuts the drive time from Austin to San Antonio in half.

The Texas Department of Transportation says although it’s fast, the new speed limit is safe. The road was designed for it. It’s straight and through rural areas. But critics point out the Transportation Department had a financial incentive to set the speed higher.



Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/...#ixzz2ALEH9QAb

[MichaelWinicki]

I'd like the chance to drive on it.

[ologan]

Didn't see anywhere in the story what the toll is.

[CowboyFan74]

I didn't notice a map either...

[Denim Chicken]

I dont think I could make it to 85.

[Doomsday101]

Well that was fast.

A Cadillac CTS-V has become the first car to break 200 mph on Texas’ new 85 mph highway.

And the cops approve!

But just this one time.

Hennessey Performance, builders of some of the fastest custom cars on the planet, including the 275 mph Venom GT, offered up one of their 1,200 hp Cadillac coupes to test the cameras fitted to the automated toll system on the brand new SH-130 toll road, which boasts the highest speed limit in the nation at 85 mph.



Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/...#ixzz2ALTFAWkT

[Rack Bauer]

I already hit 85 when I take 281 from Fort Hood to San Antonio (longer route, but faster cuz you don't get suck in Austin Traffic) so I won't be trying out the toll road.

[trickblue]

Originally Posted by ologan

Didn't see anywhere in the story what the toll is.

Depends on where you exit... it's a progressive toll road...

They are allowing free access through November 10...

It was already 80mph, driven on it many times...

[theogt]

Now my average highway speed is only slightly illegal.

[joseephuss]

Originally Posted by Rack Bauer

I already hit 85 when I take 281 from Fort Hood to San Antonio (longer route, but faster cuz you don't get suck in Austin Traffic) so I won't be trying out the toll road.

I guess it depends on what part of SA you are trying to reach. Should not be very different in distance taking either US 281 or IH 35. You can either hit traffic in Austin by taking 35 or deal with traffic signals in the small towns along 281.

[Rack Bauer]

Originally Posted by joseephuss

I guess it depends on what part of SA you are trying to reach. Should not be very different in distance taking either US 281 or IH 35. You can either hit traffic in Austin by taking 35 or deal with traffic signals in the small towns along 281.

I've gone both ways, many many many many times. 35 takes longer unless you get extremely lucky and don't hit a traffic jam where you're going about a mile per 20-30 minutes.

Those small towns are just that... Small. 1 or 2 lights doesn't slow me down much.

[WPBCowboysFan]

The authorities love the "speed kills" mantra.

Speed doesnt kill, negligence kills.

[a_minimalist]

Yet another reason why I need to live in Texas.

[Rack Bauer]

Originally Posted by a_minimalist

Yet another reason why I need to live in Texas.

Depends what part of Texas.

I'm from Laredo (south texas) but currently am stationed at Fort Hood. I love it here, the whole central texas area (austin is really nice except for the traffic).

I love my hometown, but I could never live in south texas again (way. too. freaking. hot!)

[a_minimalist]

Originally Posted by Rack Bauer

Depends what part of Texas.

I'm from Laredo (south texas) but currently am stationed at Fort Hood. I love it here, the whole central texas area (austin is really nice except for the traffic).

I love my hometown, but I could never live in south texas again (way. too. freaking. hot!)

I'm dying to move to Austin or Dallas. I just wish you guys had more apparel manufacturing businesses there! Since you don't I'm stuck in NJ for a little longer.