By Ben Wear
Austin American-Statesman (Texas)
Copyright 2006 The Austin American-Statesman
All Rights Reserved

For those driving on the three toll roads opening Nov. 1, the experience will be much different from a free road: toll plazas every few miles, places to pay on certain entrances and exits, less congestion.

But if their cars come to an abrupt stop, either through accident or vehicle malfunction, officials say, the experience will be no different from on existing highways. Ambulances, fire trucks and police won't have to stop at booths or pay tolls.

"Those emergency personnel will have full access to the toll roads," said Gaby Garcia, spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Transportation's turnpike division.

Tow trucks will be able to get to cars with no unusual delay as well. But the truck drivers will have to pay tolls, which might or might not be passed on to customers.

And the agency says enforcement of the traffic laws, including the 70 mph speed limits on the Loop 1, Texas 45 North and Texas 130 tollways, likewise will be no different.

The Texas Department of Public Safety, Garcia said, will have a unit of about a dozen troopers and some administrative workers assigned to the 66 miles of state toll roads scheduled to open over the next 14 months.

About 41 miles will open Nov. 1, at first as free road to draw in the curious and then with a transition to full payment for everyone by March.