:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/06-08-2021/t_d652e28148644a25a9c05199c139644f_name_image.jpg "Rebates, incentives aim to lure more truckers to SH 130 toll road")
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San Antonio – Interstate 35 has often been referred to as Texas Main Street and has the traffic to prove it.
For freight forwarders, the time spent in traffic means a loss of money. With further construction projects underway on I-35 between San Antonio and Austin, further delays are expected.
The increasing traffic jam, along with new discounts, could lead freight companies to take another look at the privately operated section of State Highway 130 – at least that’s what the CEO of the SH 130 Concession Company, Doug Wilson hopes.
“One of the main reasons the SH 130 was expanded and built as it is is to divert some of the truck traffic off I-35,” said Wilson. “That will certainly improve traffic, reduce congestion, but also make it safer.”
The company operates the section of the highway between Seguin and Mustang Ridge in Travis County. SH 130 recently announced a new partnership with the Texas Trucking Association to offer businesses discounts and incentives for using the toll road. Currently, an 18-wheeler for the entire 40-mile route with an electronic toll stamp costs $ 31.40. TxDOT operates the toll road north of there to Georgetown.
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“Honestly, as congested as I-35 is in the Austin area, this is one of the things we wanted to focus on for these people, these airlines that are really just trying to get on I-35,” said John Esparza, President and CEO of the Texas Trucking Association. “And if you can get around Austin, it’ll be a viable option for you.”
Some local businesses have already started using SH 130 more, although it can add a few miles from San Antonio.
“If there’s a lot of traffic south of Austin to the New Braunfels area, we can take the SH 130 and get to I-10,” said Adam Blanchard, president of Double Diamond Trucking. “It’s great to have an option for our drivers and our industry when we can avoid heavy traffic jams, as it leads to safer roads for everyone.”
More drivers, commercial and other drivers, are using SH 130 than before the pandemic, Wilson said. He said while some maintenance work is planned for the highway, no major downtime due to construction work is expected in the coming months.
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