From Thisto This

I've been piping about it for a while and I'm one of the few who is looking forward to them opening. It will make it much easier for me being that I live in North Austin/Round Rock Area and my family lives in Cedar Park.

The Austin Business Journal writes that about 25 miles of the region's toll roads have opened -- almost a year ahead of schedule.

The roads are part of the Central Texas Turnpike Project and include the MoPac Expressway (Loop 1) extension from Parmer Lane to State Highway 45, SH 45 North from Loop 1 to State Highway 130, and SH 130 from U.S. 79 to U.S. 290.

In December, another segment of SH 130 from I-35 to US 79 will open. The rest of SH 130 from U.S. 290 to U.S. 183 in Southeast Austin will open by Dec. 2007.

The Texas Department of Transportation waiving the tolls for all customers until the end of the year. In January, cash customers will pay a toll while those who get a TxTag will continue to have their tolls waived. In February, TxTag customers will pay a half-priced toll. Then, in March, TxTag customers will pay the full toll, which gets a 10 percent discount off the cash rate.

TxTags are being sold at 12719 Burnet Road, as well as online at www.txtag.org. TxTags can also be bought by phone at 1-888-GOTXTAG. Tolls will cost 12 cents a mile.

I'm getting mine tomorrow!