Texas cutting truck tolls on Hwy 130 later this year to divert traffic from I-35

Texas this year will offer truckers two phases of toll reductions of 33 to 75 percent for using State Highway 130 to reduce I-35 congestion.

Trucks with both TxTag and Pay-By-Mail will save 33 percent on SH 130/SH 45 SE from the I-35 exit in Georgetown to US 183 exit in Buda between April 18 and Oct. 31. On that same segment, trucks with TxTag will receive a 75 percent discount Nov. 1 through Aug. 31. The state will offer the reduction to trucks with four axles or more 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays.

In 2013, during the last truck discount pilot program, toll transactions increased more than 36 percent on SH 130/SH 45SE.

The Texas Transportation Commission approved the discount March 31 after the legislature allocated $18.7 million to finance it. In February, TxDOT announced TexasClearLanes.com, a website to address traffic congestion.

Toll rates on other Austin-area toll roads, including Loop 1, SH 45N, 183A Toll, 290 Toll and SH 130, from Mustang Ridge to Seguin, will not be reduced.