Some toll roads give vets a discount

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Daniel Ladd served in the U.S. Navy for 16 years.

While onboard a nuclear submarine, he fell down a ladder and a heavy pipe landed on top of him, leaving him with a lasting injury.

"Both knees, both ankles, my back, my shoulders, as well as my neck," said Ladd.

The military now considers Ladd to be 80 percent disabled.

This allows the Navy veteran to have Texas disabled veteran plates.

So, when he received a bill on his TxTag account for $5.57, even though he said it's not much, he was surprised.

"It's the principle," Ladd said.

In 2009, the Texas legislature passed the  "Veterans Discount Program," but there is still confusion as to how the discount works.

Drivers must display a Texas registered disabled veteran, Purple Heart, or Medal of Honor specialty license plate.

The discount is optional in the Austin area; the tolls that do provide veteran discounts are Loop 1, SH 45 North, SH 45 Southeast and SH 130 from Georgetown to Mustang Ridge, all of which are TxDOT operated tolls.

The southern section of SH 130 is operated by SH130 Concession Company and has not elected to give the discount at the time.

As far as 183A in Cedar Park and 290 Manor Expressway, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority controls those tolls.

CTRMA told KXAN News that the board has agreed to give veterans discounts but only if the legislature would fund the program.

"Now that I am aware that is the situation, I think I will make a personal visit to see my legislature at the Capitol while they're in session and point this out to them," said Ladd.

CTRMA pointed out one reason for not participating in the program at this time is due to funding. CTRMA said TxDOT is state and tax backed giving them more resources.

Toll roads like 183A and 290 Manor Expressway are independently owned and rely more on fees said CTRMA.