More drivers choosing the toll roads

AUSTIN (KXAN) - New data released by the Texas Department of Transportation shows more drivers chose to use the SH 130 and SH 45 SE toll roads this holiday season compared to the last.

"I do, occassionally," said Sharon O'Connor who was exiting off I-35 during rush hour.

"It's faster I think," said Jan Veenstra.

Nearly 1.2 million car transactions were made on SH 130 and SH 45 SE between Dec. 21 and Jan. 3, up from just under 1.1 million last year.

There was a bigger increase in transactions with more than two-axles, a majority of which are big rig trucks. There were 88,910 transactions this holiday season compared to 63,766 in 2010, which was a 39 percent increase.

A big reason for the increase is that TxDOT was offering an incentive for truck drivers to use the tolls instead of I-35, offering a discount up to 67 percent. That promotion was supposed to end Wednesday, but because it was so successful, TxDOT decided to extend it to Jan. 25.

"I would take it everyday if they reduced the tolls," O'Connor said.

But, the promotion does not apply to cars, or vehicles with just two axles. Some drivers feel that if regular cars were given a promotion, more drivers would use the toll roads despite how far away they are from the middle of downtown Austin.

"I sure would," said Anetra. "Especially if it was free."

The stretch of I-35 that runs through the middle of downtown Austin, from SH 71 to US 183, is the fourth most congested stretch in the State. A big reason for building the toll roads East of Austin about five years ago, was to encourage more traffic, especially big rig trucks, to use the tolls so relief could be brought to I-35.

For a comparison year to year, since 2007, the entire month of October averages about 95,000 big rig truck transactions on SH 130 to SH 45 SE. In just the two week period of the holidays, truck transactions were nearly 89,000.

There are four toll plazas on SH 130 that charges aabout $1.50 cash for fees each plaza, and upwards of $5.40 cash for big rig trucks. There is one toll plaza on SH 45 SE that charge about $1 for cars and as much as four bucks for big rig trucks.

On an average trip along the 56-mile outer loop, cars can expect to pay about $8 on a full trip around the City of Austin on the toll roads East of Austin. Thru the promotion, big rig trucks can expect to pay about the same amount. Without the promotion, trucks could pay as much as $25.