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Toll Road On The Way To Southeast Travis County


Getting to the Austin-Bergstrom International airport is about to get a whole lot easier -- but it's going to cost you. The Texas Department of Transportation just announced a new toll road will be added to the eastern portion of Hwy 71 from toll road SH 130 to the airport.

The new project will add an additional lane in both directions on the eastern portion of Hwy 71 from toll road SH 130. The additional lanes will have a toll while the existing lanes will serve as a frontage road.

Phil Wilson from TxDot says it will help drivers spend less time on the road. "This means getting home quicker, getting to work faster, it allows a chance for a better quality of life, you're not stuck behind the wheel of a car," he says.

But drivers like David Lowe say they won't pay. "Then I'll just take the frontage road. You don't want to spend the money? Not necessarily, no."

How much it will cost to drive on the road hasn't been decided but construction of the project is expected to cost about $141 million. About $59 million is coming from the toll road SH 130 concession agreement.

Wilson says the toll is part of a bigger project to help improve mobility in the area. While some aren't sold on the idea on another toll road, others it's a necessity.

By Lydia Pantazes