Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:11 PM
Texas to open fastest US highway with 85 mph limit
Source: Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas will soon open a stretch of highway with the highest speed limit in the country, giving eager drivers a chance to rip through a trip between two of the state's largest metropolitan areas. The Texas Transportation Commission has approved a speed limit of 85 mph for a 41-mile toll road several miles east of the increasingly crowded Interstate 35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio. "I would love it," Austin resident Alan Guckian said. "Sometimes it's fun to just open it up." But while some drivers will want to test their horsepower and radar detectors, others are asking if safety is taking a backseat. Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/texas/texas-to-open-fastest-us-highway-with-85texas-to-open-fastest-us-highway-with-85-2451815.html 
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92 replies, 8029 views
 92 replies |
Author | Time | Post |
 Texas to open fastest US highway with 85 mph limit (Original post) |
jsr | Sep 2012 | OP |
| bunnies | Sep 2012 | #1 | |
| DavidL | Sep 2012 | #60 | |
| bunnies | Sep 2012 | #87 | |
| Roland99 | Sep 2012 | #75 | |
| bunnies | Sep 2012 | #88 | |
| alcibiades_mystery | Sep 2012 | #91 | |
| NV Whino | Sep 2012 | #2 | |
| efhmc | Sep 2012 | #5 | |
| kentauros | Sep 2012 | #11 | |
| jtuck004 | Sep 2012 | #13 | |
| efhmc | Sep 2012 | #17 | |
| Heather MC | Sep 2012 | #44 | |
| jtuck004 | Sep 2012 | #55 | |
| trouble.smith | Sep 2012 | #57 | |
| alarimer | Sep 2012 | #83 | |
| sendero | Sep 2012 | #61 | |
| AtheistCrusader | Sep 2012 | #46 | |
| Aristus | Sep 2012 | #49 | |
| ronnie624 | Sep 2012 | #72 | |
| hedgehog | Sep 2012 | #78 | |
| BabbaTam | Sep 2012 | #45 | |
| backwoodsbob | Sep 2012 | #51 | |
| rfranklin | Sep 2012 | #3 | |
| Bernardo de La Paz | Sep 2012 | #6 | |
| Art_from_Ark | Sep 2012 | #19 | |
| Bernardo de La Paz | Sep 2012 | #22 | |
| Art_from_Ark | Sep 2012 | #26 | |
| Bernardo de La Paz | Sep 2012 | #28 | |
| Art_from_Ark | Sep 2012 | #32 | |
| Bernardo de La Paz | Sep 2012 | #33 | |
| Art_from_Ark | Sep 2012 | #38 | |
| Bernardo de La Paz | Sep 2012 | #39 | |
| alarimer | Sep 2012 | #86 | |
| hobbit709 | Sep 2012 | #25 | |
| chervilant | Sep 2012 | #27 | |
| former9thward | Sep 2012 | #29 | |
| chervilant | Sep 2012 | #65 | |
| former9thward | Sep 2012 | #84 | |
| texastoast | Sep 2012 | #4 | |
| efhmc | Sep 2012 | #7 | |
| Loki | Sep 2012 | #8 | |
| rocktivity | Sep 2012 | #9 | |
| Twinguard | Sep 2012 | #10 | |
| kentauros | Sep 2012 | #15 | |
| AtheistCrusader | Sep 2012 | #47 | |
| kentauros | Sep 2012 | #53 | |
| AtheistCrusader | Sep 2012 | #56 | |
| alcibiades_mystery | Sep 2012 | #92 | |
| 4dsc | Sep 2012 | #12 | |
| Zoeisright | Sep 2012 | #81 | |
| SunSeeker | Sep 2012 | #14 | |
| 1620rock | Sep 2012 | #16 | |
| efhmc | Sep 2012 | #24 | |
| former9thward | Sep 2012 | #30 | |
| cordelia | Sep 2012 | #36 | |
| MicaelS | Sep 2012 | #37 | |
| Dustlawyer | Sep 2012 | #54 | |
| Manifestor_of_Light | Sep 2012 | #89 | |
| Paladin | Sep 2012 | #64 | |
| 4th law of robotics | Sep 2012 | #71 | |
| NickB79 | Sep 2012 | #18 | |
| Kolesar | Sep 2012 | #35 | |
| bananas | Sep 2012 | #42 | |
| DBoon | Sep 2012 | #41 | |
| Blue Owl | Sep 2012 | #20 | |
| Trajan | Sep 2012 | #21 | |
| mwooldri | Sep 2012 | #23 | |
| raccoon | Sep 2012 | #59 | |
| oldsarge54 | Sep 2012 | #31 | |
| AnneD | Sep 2012 | #34 | |
| Ter | Sep 2012 | #40 | |
| madrchsod | Sep 2012 | #43 | |
| Xithras | Sep 2012 | #48 | |
| Frank Cannon | Sep 2012 | #67 | |
| LeftyMom | Sep 2012 | #77 | |
| burrowowl | Sep 2012 | #50 | |
| struggle4progress | Sep 2012 | #52 | |
| GTurck | Sep 2012 | #58 | |
| sendero | Sep 2012 | #62 | |
| Javaman | Sep 2012 | #63 | |
| Spitfire of ATJ | Sep 2012 | #66 | |
| davidpdx | Sep 2012 | #68 | |
| harun | Sep 2012 | #69 | |
| AngryAmish | Sep 2012 | #70 | |
| AlphaCentauri | Sep 2012 | #73 | |
| unblock | Sep 2012 | #76 | |
| Ishoutandscream2 | Sep 2012 | #74 | |
| hedgehog | Sep 2012 | #79 | |
| Zoeisright | Sep 2012 | #80 | |
| Nikia | Sep 2012 | #82 | |
| alarimer | Sep 2012 | #85 | |
| jsr | Sep 2012 | #90 |
Response to jsr (Original post)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:13 PM
bunnies (9,668 posts)
1. lol. Take I95 from NH to MA...
Response to DavidL (Reply #60)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 07:52 PM
bunnies (9,668 posts)
87. What?!
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Last edited Fri Sep 7, 2012, 07:55 PM USA/ET - Edit history (2) Umm ok. I drive that route every day. Twice. Have for nearly a decade and NEVER have I gone 15mph on 95. Oh, and BTW, I didnt even mention rush hour. Perhaps you should work on your reading comprehension before telling someone their personal experience is senseless. How rude.
on edit: Oh I see. You live in the UK. Obviously youre an expert on the current drive from Portsmouth to Boston.  |
Response to bunnies (Reply #1)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:07 PM
Roland99 (36,470 posts)
75. The hwy from NYC up to Albany, I couldn't use cruise control (it won't set above 85mph)
Response to Roland99 (Reply #75)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 07:53 PM
bunnies (9,668 posts)
88. Had a similar experience driving to northern Vermont recently.
Response to Roland99 (Reply #75)
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 09:35 AM
alcibiades_mystery (28,385 posts)
91. New York State Thruway
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Used to take it a lot. Yes, once you're past the Tappan Zee, it's a free fire zone.
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Response to jsr (Original post)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:14 PM
2. That's the only way to get through Texas — fast
Response to NV Whino (Reply #2)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:18 PM
efhmc (9,595 posts)
5. Apology not accepted. Why are these comments always necessary?
Response to jtuck004 (Reply #13)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:15 PM
efhmc (9,595 posts)
17. My husband was killed in a head on collision on a two lane hwy where
Response to efhmc (Reply #17)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:25 AM
55. I'm sorry about your husband. I am truly astounded that so many people are
Response to trouble.smith (Reply #57)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:47 PM
83. It's not 35, it't the toll road east of there, which is usually pretty deserted.
Response to jtuck004 (Reply #13)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 07:57 AM
sendero (25,000 posts)
61. Galveston is awesome..
Response to efhmc (Reply #5)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:05 AM
Aristus (29,302 posts)
49. Because of the phrase: 'If you ain't Texan, you ain't shit!"
Response to ronnie624 (Reply #72)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:26 PM
hedgehog (30,378 posts)
78. Bull#*@%! People from Buffalo are the "rudest sum'bucks in the whole country"
Response to NV Whino (Reply #2)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:13 AM
backwoodsbob (4,728 posts)
51. why do we always need the bashing?
Response to rfranklin (Reply #3)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:19 PM
6. The problem is phones and texting, not speed per se.
Response to Bernardo de La Paz (Reply #6)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:18 PM
19. Speed reduces reaction time
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Last edited Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:22 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1) |
Response to Art_from_Ark (Reply #19)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:20 PM
22. Yes. Hence I wrote "per se". The speed doesn't cause the texting crash; makes it worse.
Response to Bernardo de La Paz (Reply #22)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:30 PM
26. But even with a fully alert driver,
Response to Art_from_Ark (Reply #26)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:36 PM
28. Personally, I like the 85 idea. Less nanny state and more force people to behave like adults.
Response to Bernardo de La Paz (Reply #28)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 10:06 PM
32. If you don't like "nanny state" regulations,
Response to Art_from_Ark (Reply #32)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 10:14 PM
33. Building codes are not "nanny state". They are "level playing field". Good.
Response to Bernardo de La Paz (Reply #33)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 10:53 PM
38. They are for safety, just like speed limits
Response to Art_from_Ark (Reply #38)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 10:55 PM
39. It's not that simple. See my post #28.
Response to Bernardo de La Paz (Reply #28)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:54 PM
86. But they don't "behave like adults"
Response to rfranklin (Reply #3)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:29 PM
hobbit709 (26,000 posts)
25. There are places in West TX without decent reception.
Response to chervilant (Reply #27)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:51 PM
former9thward (6,360 posts)
29. So people could not call in accidents and emergencies?
Response to former9thward (Reply #29)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:21 AM
chervilant (3,998 posts)
65. Really?
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I haven't seen that research. Why don't you cite it?
What happened to the phone boxes along the interstates? (It was just a thought, former. We have the technology to do many things. So, if cell phone texting and calling is causing a significant number of accidents and deaths, why not wonder about that?)  |
Response to chervilant (Reply #65)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:50 PM
former9thward (6,360 posts)
84. I haven't seen any research.
Response to jsr (Original post)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:17 PM
4. Good.
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Last edited Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:17 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1) |
Response to jsr (Original post)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:20 PM
efhmc (9,595 posts)
7. Was on part of this road coming into Austin and no one was even going 40.
Response to jsr (Original post)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:35 PM
rocktivity (36,621 posts)
9. I wish the (NJ) Garden State Parkway speed limit was 55MPH again
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Last edited Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:58 PM USA/ET - Edit history (11) Because doing 70 always made me feel like a badass. Now it's only 5MPH over the limit -- big fucking deal, why bother!
rocktivity |
Response to jsr (Original post)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:38 PM
10. Montana used to have "Reasonable and Prudent" for its freeway's speed limits.
Response to Twinguard (Reply #10)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:47 PM
kentauros (21,665 posts)
15. As native Texan, I get the impression that state officials
Response to AtheistCrusader (Reply #47)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:09 AM
kentauros (21,665 posts)
53. I don't know if we have such a law or not.
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The only thing similar are the anti-littering laws and those only have a fine up to $500. I'd have to ask around, but I've never heard of a law like yours. It sounds like the better policy
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Response to kentauros (Reply #53)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:48 AM
56. It was enacted after a woman lost her sight permanently
Response to Twinguard (Reply #10)
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 09:37 AM
alcibiades_mystery (28,385 posts)
92. I drove through Montana when it was reasonable and prudent
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Unfortunately, I was towing a Uhaul trailer in a little Nissan Sentra, so while the mind was willing, the flesh was weak. Saw a lot of cars fly by me, though.
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Response to jsr (Original post)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:40 PM
4dsc (5,157 posts)
12. This would be a normal driving speed for me
Response to 4dsc (Reply #12)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:35 PM
Zoeisright (7,797 posts)
81. Thanks for wasting gas.
Response to jsr (Original post)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 08:42 PM
SunSeeker (4,995 posts)
14. I wonder what hitting an armadillo at 85 mph looks like.
Response to jsr (Original post)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:13 PM
1620rock (2,203 posts)
16. Apology not accepted???
Response to 1620rock (Reply #16)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:24 PM
efhmc (9,595 posts)
24. Obviously, you and your family have not lived somewhere for over 167
Response to 1620rock (Reply #16)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:54 PM
former9thward (6,360 posts)
30. Stay in Michigan. It is no prize despite your delusions.
Response to 1620rock (Reply #16)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 10:40 PM
cordelia (1,598 posts)
36. How incredibly rude.
Response to 1620rock (Reply #16)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 10:47 PM
37. Because their family lives in Texas, and they value family.
Response to 1620rock (Reply #16)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:10 AM
Dustlawyer (1,299 posts)
54. Dude, that is low. Why is it ok to generalize like that about all the residents in a state?
Response to 1620rock (Reply #16)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:08 AM
Paladin (8,667 posts)
64. Brain-Dead Churlishness.
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Last edited Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:16 AM USA/ET - Edit history (1) |
Response to jsr (Original post)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:16 PM
18. Gas is almost $4/gal, and fuel economy plummets above 55 mph
Response to NickB79 (Reply #18)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 10:28 PM
Kolesar (29,305 posts)
35. Yeah. I don't get it.
Response to Kolesar (Reply #35)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 11:14 PM
42. It's a toll road for people who don't care about money
Response to NickB79 (Reply #18)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 11:08 PM
41. what did they say during the '70s gas crises
Response to jsr (Original post)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:18 PM
20. Bury the needle all the way to San Antone
Response to jsr (Original post)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:19 PM
Trajan (15,935 posts)
21. The faster the better ....
Response to jsr (Original post)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:22 PM
23. Safety taking a backseat? Ask the Germans.
Response to mwooldri (Reply #23)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 07:29 AM
59. Thank you-"Also German driving tests are harder than US ones, with more requirements. " nt
Response to jsr (Original post)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 09:58 PM
31. The Republican Way is Personal Responsibility
Response to jsr (Original post)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 10:57 PM
40. And it's their right to do so via 10th Amendment
Response to jsr (Original post)
Thu Sep 6, 2012, 11:34 PM
madrchsod (55,708 posts)
43. hell drive the ronald reagan tollway...
Response to jsr (Original post)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:41 AM
48. Lol. Try I-5 in California, anywhere north of Los Angeles.
Response to Xithras (Reply #48)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:17 PM
77. I was passed, on the right no less, by a CHP officer while going 95 on I-5 once.
Response to jsr (Original post)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:10 AM
burrowowl (8,952 posts)
50. From Van Horn to El Paso
Response to jsr (Original post)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 01:24 AM
struggle4progress (71,460 posts)
52. It's stupid: 41 miles at 70 mph takes 35 min, and going 85 saves you 7 minutes.
Response to jsr (Original post)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 07:59 AM
sendero (25,000 posts)
62. Roads are better
Response to jsr (Original post)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 08:31 AM
Javaman (40,599 posts)
63. In other news: Texas Highway Patrol has ordered more scrapers. nt
Response to jsr (Original post)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:35 AM
davidpdx (8,777 posts)
68. Well that's going to be an interesting experiment
Response to jsr (Original post)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 10:16 AM
69. Where we're going we don't need roads.
Response to jsr (Original post)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 10:25 AM
70. Some places can be safe at 85, some places are too dangerous at 55
Response to jsr (Original post)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:29 PM
hedgehog (30,378 posts)
79. It really shows a lack of imagination - if there is enough traffic to support a private toll road -
Response to jsr (Original post)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:33 PM
Zoeisright (7,797 posts)
80. Aaaaannnnddd watch the
Response to jsr (Original post)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:42 PM
82. The problem is that the speed limit is usually the minimum speed
Response to Nikia (Reply #82)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 12:50 PM
85. This is NOT the busy road (I-35); This is toll road that hardly anyone uses.
Response to jsr (Original post)
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 09:30 AM
90. It's State Highway 130, not I-35
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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443589304577637773840176082.html
Toll Road Offers Fast Cash to Texas By NATHAN KOPPEL Texas stands to receive $100 million from the private operators of a state toll road for raising its speed limit to 85 miles per hour, a contractual payoff that is drawing criticism from consumer groups. The Texas Transportation Commission voted Aug. 30 to bump up the limit for a 41-mile portion of the 91-mile toll road between Austin and San Antonio, making it the fastest stretch of highway in the U.S. The new segment of the toll road, State Highway 130, is set to open this fall and will be run by SH 130 Concession Co., a consortium of private road builders. A contract the company signed with Texas in 2007 offers the state a one-time payment of $100 million for approving an 85 mph speed limit. The payout would have dropped to $67 million if the limit was set at 80 mph. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is I-35 in Austin:  |
