Southbound drivers on State Highway 71 past the new stretch of State Highway 130 in East Travis County now have to stop at a new traffic light.
The Texas Department of Transportation turned on the light in early September when the new toll road opened, according to TxDOT's Chris Bishop.
"The signals at 130 and 71 were strictly to allow safe access on
and off of both SH-130 and SH-71," Bishop said.
SH-71 is the only southern exit and entrance on to SH-130. TxDOT hopes traffic will ease when the portion of SH-130 that
connects to 183 opens.
Drivers like Daniel Villegas don't like what the new light does to his commute into Austin. Villages doesn't use the toll road, but said he feels like he's paying for it with his time in traffic.
"At its worst it's about a two-hour wait!" he said.
Villegas said the light is added frustration for drivers who now have to stop at three lights in 1.5 miles - including a light on Ross Road, the new light, and again at a light at FM 973.
"Traffic just accumulates and accumulates," Villegas said.
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Traffic lights taking a toll on drivers
A new set of traffic lights in East Travis County is causing headaches for drivers.
 
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Bishop said TxDOT has worked to ease any traffic buildups that first occurred. TxDOT restriped Highway 71 to its original three lanes and is now working with the city of Austin to synchronize the lights.
"FM 1973 is under the charge of the city. By getting them to work with us on retiming, we're able to provide a smoother flow through that entire corridor," Bishop said.
Villegas said the extra lane and synchronized timers have worked, but drivers like Marilyn Duran say there's still more to be done.
"It's hard to get places where you want to go. Usually it could
take five minutes to get to Austin. Now it takes longer," Duran said.
Bishop said TxDOT is continuing to work on the congestion in the area. A direct connect ramp that would tie into SH-130 doesn't have any funding yet.
