New Signs Installed To Help Drivers Avoid I-35 Gridlock
Portions of I-410 and I-10 Share the SH 130 Designation
MUSTANG RIDGE, TEX – Cars and trucks traveling from South Texas now have a better explanation of their options as they drive up through Central Texas. Thanks to the construction of a series of signage improvements along I-35 and I-410 in the San Antonio area, drivers know that they have an alternative to the congestion and frustration that can accompany I-35 through San Antonio.
Now, signs alert drivers approaching San Antonio that they can take I-410 and I-10 to the SH 130 toll road if they want to bypass traffic in two of the state’s busiest metropolitan areas.
“SH 130 provides a safe and reliable alternative to battling the congestion on I-35,” said Javier Gutierrez, CEO of the SH 130 Concession Company. “Drivers deserve a choice to get out of the traffic jams that can occur at any hour. We hope that increased awareness of SH 130 will help everyone get where they need to go.”
“Improved signage is beneficial to the commuting public and professional truck drivers alike,” said John D. Esparza, president and CEO of Texas Trucking Association. “The dual designation of highways helps drivers and dispatchers make informed decisions on the best routes to take, and allows commercial vehicles and commuters an opportunity to avoid gridlock on I-35 by utilizing SH 130 as a viable option.”
The installation of the signs was a joint project of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the SH 130 Concession Company. Altogether, almost 400 signs were installed along the I-35 corridor.
“The dual designation of these highways will help avoid confusion and ease congestion in an area of our state that is seeing tremendous growth,” said Russell Zapalac, TxDOT chief planning and project officer. “Alerting drivers to alternate routes and better directing them in their travel decisions will facilitate the flow of both commuter and commercial traffic as travelers become more aware of SH 130.”
“The importance of long distance signage really centers around making infrequent drivers in the region aware of all possible routes,” said SH 130 Concession Company COO Matt Pierce. “Everyone knows about I-35 and the congestion, and they are still learning about the 130 option. Long distance signage helps make drivers more aware that there is an alternative route through the region.”
The 90-mile SH 130 corridor was developed as a relief route to Interstate 35 through Central Texas. “Long-distance signage north of Austin and south of San Antonio allows a driver northbound out of Laredo and other border crossings with Mexico to find their way to SH 130 without having to do as much guesswork,” said Pierce.
Drivers can view a map of the new toll road including entry and exit points and a complete toll schedule at www.mysh130.com.
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.
