Part of SH 130 to get 85 mph limit

AUSTIN (AP/KXAN) - Texas will soon open a stretch of highway with the highest speed limit in the country.

Construction crews have begun posting 85 mph speed limit signs for the pending section of toll road between Austin and San Antonio.

An official with the State Highway 130 Concession Co. confirmed to The Associated Press that the signs began going up Wednesday.

“State Highway 130, including Segments 5 and 6, were designed and tested for high-speed travel," said TxDOT spokeswoman Kelli Reyna. "Safety is our top priority and tests have shown the designated speed is a safe one. We look forward to opening this segment of SH 130, which will help reduce congestion for the Austin/San Antonio corridor by providing Texas drivers and others with an alternate route for traveling through our great state.”

Chris Lippincott says the 41-mile segment is expected to open to drivers by Nov. 11. Lippincott says the Texas Department of Transportation has determined that the area may be safely traveled at 85 miles per hour.

The company is part of a consortium led by Spanish toll road firm Cintra.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says data suggest more accidents result from higher speed limits, however, TxDOT has reported that past increases along stretches of I-10 have resulted in fewer fatalities.

Drivers at a nearby truck stop in Mustang Ridge had mixed emotions.

"I think it is a bad idea for our kids," said Cesar Moreno who thinks the increased speed limit will encourage reckless driving.

Laura Hood had a much different opinion.

"It is the highest posted speed limit in the country, right. That is pretty neat," said Hood.

The state already has 80 mph speed limits on some highways in rural West Texas.