The Tolls, and heavy freight? (Houston, Dallas: construction, live in, dangerous)

[crux]

How bad is your commute anywhere in Austin with the toll structures in place? I read the local online 'paper' about this headache. Can you get around Austin without using these toll roads -- there's something like 4 toll roads with a 5th in the works.

I havent had to use a toll road (unless in a beach town) and the thought of that many toll structures in place for such a smaller city is perplexing.

Also, does Austin experience a heavy flow of traffic as people and freight head/to from Mexico or the coastal areas (like S. Padre)? Is austin a warehouse hub for shipment to the midwest or is Houston - due to the ports?

[Trainwreck20]

Most people can probably get around without using the toll road if they want. I live SW and never drive on a toll road to get to from anywhere in town, although I probably could/would if I was heading northwest of town.

Lots of big rig traffic on I-35, but very little of it every stops or leaves the interstate. I also only drive on I-35 about once or twice a year.

[jobert]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

Most people can probably get around without using the toll road if they want. I live SW and never drive on a toll road to get to from anywhere in town, although I probably could/would if I was heading northwest of town.

Lots of big rig traffic on I-35, but very little of it every stops or leaves the interstate. I also only drive on I-35 about once or twice a year.

Live in S. Austin, or SW Austin.

[TexasHorseLady]

It's relatively easy to get around without using the toll roads. Was before they were built, still is, albeit they did work to make it a little more difficult for reasons that are no doubt obvious. I live about 50 miles north of Austin, and travel the entire area on a regular basis on business; this advice covers pretty much the whole area.

SH130 was supposed to alleviate the 18 wheeler traffic from IH35, but so far, when I've used SH 130, I've seen one 18 wheeler on it once (others report seeing more, but I've been keeping an eye out and so far, only the one). However, on IH35, which I'm on regularly, I am always within eye shot of 6 or more. Off of IH35, though, I rarely see them.

[robino2001]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

SH130 was supposed to alleviate the 18 wheeler traffic from IH35, but so far, when I've used SH 130, I've seen one 18 wheeler on it once (others report seeing more, but I've been keeping an eye out and so far, only the one). However, on IH35, which I'm on regularly, I am always within eye shot of 6 or more. Off of IH35, though, I rarely see them.

Hopefully this'll be alleviated a little when the southern part of 130 is complete and connected to 35 in the near future. What 18-wheeler would want to drive 130 now only to have to take 183/21 or something similar to get back onto 35 as it is now?

And just to state in addition... I only drive the toll roads when going to Lakeline Mall (Cedar Park) or to the Airport (from Round Rock).

[Austinitegirl]

Originally Posted by crux

How bad is your commute anywhere in Austin with the toll structures in place? I read the local online 'paper' about this headache. Can you get around Austin without using these toll roads -- there's something like 4 toll roads with a 5th in the works.

I havent had to use a toll road (unless in a beach town) and the thought of that many toll structures in place for such a smaller city is perplexing.

Also, does Austin experience a heavy flow of traffic as people and freight head/to from Mexico or the coastal areas (like S. Padre)? Is austin a warehouse hub for shipment to the midwest or is Houston - due to the ports?

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "toll structures in place" - if you mean the toll roads or the construction of the southern toll roads, but there was a pretty recent thread on the toll road impact on traffic in suburbs north of austin: https://www.city-data.com/forum/austi...toll-road.html

Not sure if that answers your question...

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by robino2001

Hopefully this'll be alleviated a little when the southern part of 130 is complete and connected to 35 in the near future. What 18-wheeler would want to drive 130 now only to have to take 183/21 or something similar to get back onto 35 as it is now?

And just to state in addition... I only drive the toll roads when going to Lakeline Mall (Cedar Park) or to the Airport (from Round Rock).

I'm hoping - but the toll road already goes to 290 and would be a great way for the trucks to head over to Houston and avoid having to drive through Austin to get to 290 to do so. So far, they don't seem to be doing so, at least not from the north (130 connects to IH35 just two exits south of the one to my place).

[cabolissa]

I drive 130 and my husband drives 45 every day. We love the toll roads. Convenient, clean, safe and quick. Sure, you can get around without them, but if they're there who wouldn't use them?

I hope the trucks don't come onto 130! It's a straight shot and a beautiful drive to/from downtown every day!

[TexasHorseLady]

The reason the trucks are mentioned is that they were the reason given to us to garner our support of 130 being built in the first place, that they would remove a very dangerous situation of having semis on I35 through downtown Austin. So it's notable that this doesn't seem to be happening as yet.

[robino2001]

My thought is that there aren't that many trucks driving through Austin to get to 290 to get to Houston, are there? I could see a few trucks that are traveling directly to Austin and the immediate surrounding area using 290 back and forth to Houston. I'd assume a huge majority... very close to 100%... of the trucks on 35 are (at least) doing Dallas to SA and beyond in both directions. If a truck was wanting to get to Houston, it'd be on 10 from SA or 45 from Dallas.

With all of that said, that's why I think 130 has not effected 18 wheeler traffic at all... it was touted as a bypass 35 in downtown... well the bypass is not complete yet because there is not an easy way back onto 35.