AUSTIN, Texas – A long-awaited toll road will finally open nearly 34 years after it was first planned.
- SH 45 set to open this weekend
- Project delayed for 34 years
- People will be able to save on drive time
State Highway 45 Southwest will soon make it easier for people to avoid congested neighborhood streets in southwest Austin. This weekend the road blocks will finally be lifted to solidify the connection people have been waiting for.
The new toll road connects MoPac and Farm to Market 1626, which is a common thoroughfare to get into Hays County, through Driftwood, and Buda.
According to the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, SH 45 Southwest was first planned in 1985, but due to several lawsuits over environmental concerns it was put on hold for decades.
It wasn't until 2015 that the toll road was approved for construction. Now, the road is set to open this weekend, a few months in advance.
CTRMA's executive director says, 45 Southwest's tolls will help them maintain water quality in the surrounding areas. There is also an added feature this new highway offers that could help prevent wrong-way driving.