State Highway 130 marker State Highway 130 marker

State Highway 130

Pickle Parkway
SH 130 highlighted in red
Route information
Length130.6 mi[1] (210.2 km)
Existed1985[1]–present
Major junctions
South end I-35 / I-410 in San Antonio
Major intersections
North end I-35 in Georgetown
Location
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
Highway system
← SH 129→ SH 131

State Highway 130 (SH 130), also known as the Pickle Parkway, is a highway from Interstate 35 (I-35) in San Antonio along I-410 and I-10 to east of Seguin, then north as tollway from there to I-35 north of Georgetown.[1] SH 130 runs in a 91-mile (146 km) corridor east and south of Austin. The route parallels I-35 and is intended to relieve the Interstate's traffic volume through the San Antonio–Austin corridor by serving as an alternate route.

The highway was developed in response to the tremendous surge in truck traffic on the I-35 corridor brought on by the North American Free Trade Agreement during the late 1990s, especially truck traffic originating from Laredo, where the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reported 150 trucks entering the United States every hour. A proponent of the highway's development, Capital Area Transportation Coalition, said that congestion along the I-35 corridor is costing businesses more than $194 million a year in higher operating costs and lost productivity.

The 41-mile (66 km) section of the toll road between SH 45 and I-10 has a posted speed limit of 85 mph (137 km/h), the highest posted speed limit in the Americas. As of September 2012, the only speed limits in the world higher than this are the 140 km/h (87 mph) limits of Poland, Bulgaria and Abu Dhabi,[2] though some jurisdictions like Germany and Isle of Man have roads without any posted maximum limit.[3][4]

Route description

SH 130 begins while running concurrently with I-410 at an interchange with I-35 in southwestern San Antonio. SH 130 follows I-410 until an interchange with I-10/US 90 just east of Downtown San Antonio, and then follows those two highways to Seguin. SH 130 leaves I-10 in eastern Seguin, running north as a tollway. Near Lockhart, the tollway begins an overlap with US 183; US 183 runs along the frontage roads. In the small community of Mustang Ridge, US 183 leaves the frontage roads and an overlap with SH 45 begins. The two highways run in a northeast direction passing through rural areas of Travis County. The tollway passes near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at the interchange with SH 71 and runs in extreme east Austin. The tollway curves around Lake Walter E. Long after the interchange with the Manor Expressway near Manor. In the city of Pflugerville, there is slight development along the route near Farm to Market Road 685 (FM 685). SH 45 leaves the tollway in Pflugerville, and SH 130 runs through rural areas of Williamson County. SH 130 runs in a slight northwest direction before ending at I-35 in northern Georgetown.

History

Previous route

SH 130 was originally designated in far west Texas, between the city of El Paso and SH 54 in El Paso, Hudspeth, and Culberson counties. That route was designated on January 18, 1928.[5][6] In 1932, the route was co-designated as a portion of US 62.[7] On January 21, 1936, SH 130 was extended east to the New Mexico state line, replacing a portion of SH 54.[8] The SH 130 designation was dropped with the general re-description of the state highway system on September 26, 1939. Since September 6, 1943, the previous route has also been designated as a portion of US 180 along with US 62.[9]

Current route

SH 130 northbound near Kingsbury, July 2013
SH 130 northbound in Pflugerville, May 2008
85 mph speed limit sign in 2014

SH 130 was designated on May 22, 1985, along with SH 45, as a route from I-35 to US 183 south of Austin. On January 30, 1989, SH 297 was designated from US 183 in Mendoza to I-10 in Seguin. On December 8, 1993, SH 297 became part of SH 130. On October 27, 1994, the SH 130 sections were connected with part of the SH 130 tollway along US 183 added to the plans.

In June 2002, Lone Star Infrastructure, a consortium of major highway construction contractors and civil engineering firms, was awarded a Comprehensive Development Agreement by TxDOT to design and build the section from I-35 in Georgetown to US 183 southeast of Austin.[10] The cost of this section was expected to be $1.5 billion, which included the costs of utility relocation, design, construction, and right-of-way. Right-of-way costs alone were estimated at $389 million.

Groundbreaking for SH 130 took place on October 3, 2003. The first segment to open to the public was from US 290 northbound to US 79 on November 1, 2006. On December 13, the highway was extended northward to a junction with I-35. On September 6, 2007, the route was extended southward from US 290 to SH 71. Segment 4 opened on April 30, 2008, running 8.7 miles (14.0 km) from SH 71 to US 183.[11]

On June 28, 2006, a partnership between Cintra and Zachry American Infrastructure, developers of the Trans-Texas Corridor, reached a $1.3 billion agreement with the state to build segments 5 and 6 from US 183 southeast of Austin to I-10 in Seguin. Cintra-Zachry formed SH 130 Concession Company to manage the project. In exchange for the investment, the company received the right to collect tolls for 50 years in a revenue-sharing agreement with the state. The state owns the road while the company is responsible for financing, design, construction, operation, and maintenance over the life of the agreement.[12] Although substantially a private sector project, some costs for segments 5 and 6 were borne by TxDOT, including about 400 highway signs promoting SH 130 as an alternate route and a subsidized toll rate for truckers to use the highway instead of I-35.[13] In 2013, Moody's downgraded the company's debt to junk status due to low traffic revenues, raising the possibility that TxDOT might terminate its toll contract with the group.[13] The company explored debt restructuring around December 2013,[14] and was in danger of a payment default in June 2014,[15] eventually filing for bankruptcy in March 2016.[16] The Concession Company eventually exited bankruptcy in 2017 with a new owner in the form of investment firm Strategic Value Partners, who bought out Cintra's stake in the joint venture.[17]

The 2007 session of the Texas Legislature passed HB 2296, designating SH 130 in Williamson, Travis, Caldwell, and Guadalupe counties as the "Pickle Parkway" in honor of former United States Congressman J.J. "Jake" Pickle.[18] Construction began in early 2009 on the final sections of SH 130, from Lockhart through Caldwell and Guadalupe counties to I-10, which opened on October 24, 2012.[19] On the first evening the roadway was open, three cars crashed into packs of wild hogs.[20] US 183 runs parallel to SH 130 from southeast of Austin to Lockhart.

TxDOT announced on September 29, 2011, that the SH 130 designation had been extended westward, along I-10 to I-410, then southward and westward along I-410 to I-35 in southern San Antonio.[21] On March 2, 2016, the SH 130 Concession Company, who operates the toll road between Seguin and Mustang Ridge, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The concession's CEO, Alfonso Orol, stated that the highway will continue to operate during the bankruptcy proceedings.[22]

Proposal for toll removal

In 2013, House Bill 3682 was filed by state Representative Paul Workman with the goal of removing the tolls on SH 130 and re-designating the highway as an Interstate.[23] The cost was estimated at $3 billion. $1.5 billion would come from the state's rainy day fund, with an equal amount being funded from federal sources.[24]

Exit list

CountyLocationmikmExitDestinationsNotes
BexarSan Antonio0.00.053

 I-35 / I-410 north / SH 16 north – San Antonio, Laredo		South end of I-410 / SH 16 overlap
see I-410
19.2–
19.9		30.9–
32.0


 I-10 west / I-410 north / US 90 west – San Antonio		North end of I-410 overlap; south end of I-10 / US 90 overlap; SH 130 north follows exit 33; SH 130 south follows exit 581
see I-10
GuadalupeSeguin52.484.3
 I-10 east – Houston		North end of I-10 overlap; SH 130 north follows exit 614
53.786.4496 US 90 – SeguinSouthbound exit and northbound entrance
​59.095.0491 FM 20
​65.6105.6484 FM 621
Caldwell​68.1109.6482 SH 80 – San Marcos, Luling
Lockhart75.9122.1475Maple Streetno direct southbound exit (signed at exit 474)
76.8–
78.9		123.6–
127.0		474
471		 SH 142 / FM 2001 / Boggy Creek Roadsigned as exit 474 northbound and 471 southbound; no direct southbound exit to FM 2001 (signed at exit 466)
79.7128.3470 US 183 – Lockhartno direct access from SH 130 south to US 183 north or US 183 south to SH 130 north
​82.1–
83.9		132.1–
135.0		469
466		 FM 1185signed as exit 469 northbound and 466 southbound
​84.4135.8464Schuelke Roadno direct northbound exit (signed at exit 469)
Mendoza86.3138.9465Briarpatch Road / Homannville Trailno direct southbound exit (signed at exit 461)
Mustang Ridge87.5–
89.5		140.8–
144.0		463
461		 SH 21 / Laws Roadsigned as exit 463 northbound and 461 southbound
Travis89.7144.4460Old Lockhart Roadno direct northbound exit (signed at exit 463)
90.8–
93.9		146.1–
151.1		460
457
 US 183 north – Austin, Austin–Bergstrom International Airport		signed as exit 460 northbound and 457 southbound
91.1146.6458
 SH 45 Toll west – Buda		south end of SH 45 overlap
94.6152.2455Moore Road
​96.3155.0453 FM 812 – Circuit of the Americas
Austin98.1157.9451Elroy Road
99.1159.5450Pearce Lane
​101.3163.0449 SH 71 – Austin, Houston, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
​103.4166.4446Tesla Road
​105.1169.1444 FM 969
​108.2174.1441 FM 973
​111.7179.8439Blue Bluff RoadNo northbound exit
Austin112.6181.2437 US 290 / 290 Toll Road (Manor Expressway) – Austin, Houston
​113.3182.3436 FM 734 (Parmer Lane)
​114.7184.6435Howard Lane / Gregg Manor RoadNorthbound exit and southbound entrance
​117.1188.5432Cameron Road
Pflugerville118.0189.9431Pecan Street
120.5193.9429Pflugerville Parkwayno direct southbound exit (signed at exit 428A)
121.4195.4428A
 FM 685 south / Kelly Lane
121.9196.2428B
 SH 45 Toll west – Round Rock		North end of SH 45 overlap
Williamson​123.8–
126.1		199.2–
202.9		426
425
 FM 685 north / Gattis School Road		signed as exit 426 northbound and 425 southbound
​126.5203.6423 US 79 – Taylor, Round Rock, Hutto
​128.9207.4421Limmer LoopSouthbound exit and northbound entrance
​130.3209.7419Chandler Road / University Boulevard
Georgetown133.3214.5417County Road 104
135.0217.3415 SH 29 – Georgetown
137.1220.6413 FM 971 – GrangerNorthbound exit and southbound entrance
138.3222.6411
 I-35 south – Austin		Northbound exit and southbound entrance
139.6–
140.0		224.7–
225.3

 I-35 north / SH 195 north – Waco, Florence, Killeen		Northbound exit and southbound entrance; northern terminus; I-35 exit 265
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References

  1. 1 2 3 Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "State Highway No. 130". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  2. ↑ "85 mph speed limit in Texas a potential killer?". CBS News. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Current speed limit policies - Mobility and transport - European Commission". Mobility and transport. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  4. ↑ "How Do You Police a Land with No Speed Limits?". Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  5. ↑ Texas State Highway Commission (January 16, 1928). "Minutes" (PDF). Austin: Texas State Highway Department.
  6. ↑ Texas State Highway Department (1928). Official Map of the Highway System of Texas (Map). Austin: Texas State Highway Department. §§ M6-7. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  7. ↑ Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "U.S. Highway No. 62". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 25, 2009.
  8. ↑ Texas State Highway Commission (January 20, 1936). "Minutes" (PDF). Austin: Texas State Highway Department.
  9. ↑ Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "U.S. Highway No. 180". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 25, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Adapting to a Mega Project". Associated Construction Publications. June 18, 2007. Archived from the original on August 10, 2007.
  11. ↑ Harris, Tom (April 30, 2008). "Final Leg of SH 130 Opens". Texas Cable News. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011.
  12. ↑ "State Reaches $1.3 Billion Deal to Finish Toll Road". Houston Chronicle. Associated Press. June 28, 2006. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011.
  13. 1 2 Batheja, Aman (October 23, 2013). "Debt Issues Tied to SH 130 Could Impact Toll Projects". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  14. ↑ Koppel, Nathan; Glazer, Emily (January 2, 2014). "Fast Texas Toll Road Struggles to Pick Up Drivers". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Issuer Comment: SH 130 Payment Default Looms as Senior Lenders Evaluate Waiving a Part of the June 30th Debt Service and Swap Payments to Allow Time to Restructure Debt". Moody's. June 18, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  16. ↑ "SH 130 Toll Road Operator Files for Bankruptcy". The Texas Tribune. March 2, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Operator of Texas toll road with 85 MPH speed limit emerges from bankruptcy". June 28, 2017.
  18. ↑ "80(R) History for HB 2296". Texas Legislature.
  19. ↑ Sadeghi, Chris (September 6, 2012). "Part of SH 130 to Get 85 MPH Limit". Austin, TX: KXAN-TV. Archived from the original on September 25, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  20. ↑ DeLong, Katie (October 28, 2012). "Wild Hogs Cause Three Crashes on First Night Fastest Highway Is Open". Fox News.
  21. ↑ Texas Transportation Commission (September 29, 2011). "Minute Order 112863" (PDF). Austin: Texas Department of Transportation.
  22. ↑ Lovegrove, Jamie (March 2, 2016). "SH 130 Toll Road Operator Files for Bankruptcy". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  23. ↑ Davila, Vianna (March 20, 2013). "Legislator Proposes Removing Tolls from Texas 130". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  24. ↑ Wear, Ben (March 20, 2013). "$3 Billion Plan Would End Tolls on Texas 130". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
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