41-Mile Extension of State Highway 130 Opens Ahead of Schedule in Central Texas
Public-private partnership completed at no cost to the State Highway Fund, more than 150 Texas-based firms employed
LOCKHART, TX – Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters joined state and local leaders Wednesday to celebrate the opening of State Highway 130 Segments 5 and 6, weeks ahead of schedule.
The new roadway spans approximately 41 miles from Mustang Ridge to I-10 in Seguin, and was also designated as the Pickle Parkway by the Texas Legislature in 2007 in honor of Congressman J.J. “Jake” Pickle. With this new road, motorists can travel 90 miles of toll road and bypass I-35 congestion between Seguin and Georgetown for about $12.
“SH 130 is an outstanding highway and a great example of how transportation solutions can be realized when government and the private sector work together on behalf of all Texans,” said Ted Houghton, chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission. “Commuters and business people traveling through Central Texas no longer have to deal with congestion and best of all; taxpayers did not get the bill.”
The pubic-private partnership (PPP) toll road project was financed, designed and built by the SH 130 Concession Company, LLC, an independent company formed by Cintra US and Zachry American Infrastructure. SH 130 Concession Company will also operate and maintain the roadway for 50 years at no cost to the state.
“Transportation is essential for states to stay economically vital,” said Peters, who also serves on the SH130 Concession Company Board of Directors. “SH 130 demonstrates Texas leaders’ commitment to economic development.”
Under the contract, SH 130 Concession Company invested a total of $1.4 billion in the project, including $140 million in concession payments to the state for investment in the Texas Department of Transportation’s Austin and San Antonio Districts.
“We are very proud to have worked alongside not only visionary state and local leaders, but also more than 150 Texas-based firms during the construction phase of this historic project,” said Rafael del Pino, chairman of Ferrovial, the parent company of Cintra. “By combining our collective talents in partnership, the citizens of Texas are realizing a world class roadway where all can be proud for many years to come.”
“Together with our partners, Zachry and the SH 130 Concession Company are committed to Central Texas,” said David Zachry, Zachry Corporation president and CEO. “We’ve been a part of this community for a long time, and we look forward to helping this region grow in the future.”
At the ribbon-cutting Wednesday in Lockhart, guests celebrated trips by a ceremonial first car and first truck. The first passenger car on the new roadway was driven by Lockhart resident Martha Carson who will use SH 130 regularly to commute to her job as a teacher at Gonzalo Garza High School in Austin. The first truck was driven by Lennon Davidson for the Serta Mattress Factory located in Lockhart, which relies on SH 130 to bypass congestion on I-35 through Central Texas.
“SH 130 benefits Lockhart’s residents and businesses by providing an alternative to congestion on I-35,” said Lockhart Mayor Lew White. “The economic development this roadway brings will help ensure Lockhart’s economy remains vibrant and thriving.”
“This roadway connects our Central Texas communities, gets folks out of traffic, and creates new opportunities for Texas businesses and families,” said Seguin Mayor Betty Ann Matthies.
Motorists may drive Segments 5 and 6 of SH 130 for free until November 11. Beginning November 11, the toll rate will be set at $0.15 per mile for passenger vehicles using TxTag. Cars and trucks without a TxTag may also use the road and will be billed via TxTag’s Pay-By-Mail service.
About SH 130 Concession Company
The only American-owned toll road concession in the U.S., Texas-based SH 130 Concession Company operates and maintains the 41-mile section of State Highway 130 south of Austin through a long-term public-private partnership with the State of Texas. The southern segments 5&6 of the roadway opened in 2012 and connect seamlessly with the state-operated northern portion of SH 130, creating a 91-mile high-speed alternative to the heavily congested I-35 corridor in Central Texas. SH 130 Concession Company has invested more than $160M in recent years to enhance safety, improve the driving experience and prepare for future growth. The roadway maintains excellent asset condition scores from TxDOT and a driver satisfaction rating of over 90%. With ongoing roadwork on I-35 for the foreseeable future, SH 130 offers a safe, reliable, efficient and comfortable choice for long-distance freight and passenger vehicles moving through Central Texas.
For more information, contact James Lovett at 512-618-4986.
