Several children view messages written by commuters on how they plan to spend the time saved from waiting in traffic by traveling on the new State Highway 45 Southwest toll road. Over the weekend, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), along with the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority and Hays County, cut the ribbon for the new four-lane toll road that bridges MoPac in south Austin to FM 1626 near Bliss Spillar Road just outside of Buda. The road will open June 1, weather permitting. CTRMA officials will allow commuters to use the road free of charge in June if they have a TxTag. Starting in July, commuters will pay $1 for use of the toll road, which can be paid via TxTag or pay by mail.
