Drove 130!

[DtE1]

Got your attention didn't I?

On my way back to Houston from Austin on Wednesday afternoon, I drove on the new Texas 130 toll road which has an 85 mph speed limit. Since this was the first day the road was open to the public, there was very sparse traffic. While I did exceed the 85 mph limit slightly reaching triple digits briefly, I chose not test the increased speed limiter of the 135i. It was a strange feeling to drive legally at that speed for the first time, but it was not the most interesting or entertaining drive. Until November 11th, they are not charging any tolls according to the signs and news reports.

One of the first exits south of Austin is for Circuit of the Americas, the F1 track being built that will supposedly host an F1 event in 2013. The track is at least a mile away from 130 on the east side. This side trip added a few extra miles on my return trip home. I exited at State Highway 80 which took me to Luling where I caught I-10E to Houston. The big downside to this stretch of road is that being built through very rural undeveloped farmland, there are feral hogs and deer freely roaming, especially at night. Three accidents with hogs/deer have already happened in the first two days of the road being open to the public.

On Tuesday before the road was opened to the public, a Hennessey Performance VR1200 Twin Turbo Cadillac CTS-V clocked 220.5 mph on this road, ostensibly to test the camera systems at the toll stations. Yeah right! Good thing they didn't run into a hog!

Interesting side note - I had taken my TomTom to help navigate the streets of Austin and I left it on while driving down Texas 130. That road won't be on the maps for a while, and it drove the GPS crazy trying to figure out and recalculate the route numerous times.

[smellthebeans]

I have heard of all kinds of billing problems with TXDOT toll roads bypassing Austin I35. Now drivers have to contend with ferrel hogs (nothing new there).

The local Austin television station (KXAN?) left the studio with two vehicles one went on SH 130 the other took I35 to downtown San Antonio. The vehicle traveling on 35 arrived about 15mins before the one traveling on SH130.

Higher speed limits are fine if the road is built to accommodate longer sight lines and drivers under stand they need to increase their following distances.

[135Pats]

Meanwhile in the DMV....55mph all over the place. You Texas guys/gals are lucky lucky drivers.

[I35it]

I don't understand this crap. People are worried bout these speed limits but in Germany u can speed all day. What I loved bout there is that people followed the rules. Meaning if ur slow ass was in the fast lane then u would have a m5 on ur ass with his high beams on and honking.

[smellthebeans]

Originally Posted by I35it

I don't understand this crap. People are worried bout these speed limits but in Germany u can speed all day. What I loved bout there is that people followed the rules. Meaning if ur slow ass was in the fast lane then u would have a m5 on ur ass with his high beams on and honking.

Following the rules....yep

Tailgating
Honking horn other than to warn others
Flashing lights

All illegal and all observed by yours truly recently.

The one and only good thing done here is you only use the left lane to pass and when you pass it should be schnell nicht langsam.

[P1]

It's funny to see Americans get excited about driving 85mph...