Texas opens toll road with 85 mph speed limit

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas prides itself on being the biggest – now it's also the fastest.

On Wednesday, a newly constructed toll road opened about 20 miles south of Austin with a speed limit higher than any other roadway in the nation: 85 mph.

Zayonara Menchaca, 29, who manages Pitchers bar along the new highway in Mustang Ridge, was excited, saying it would speed her commute from Pflugerville about 30 miles north.

But she said the small town, population 860, is unprepared for the expected influx of traffic, both from speed fans on the new highway and those headed to the new F1 racetrack, Circuit of the Americas, which opened last weekend and plans to host the Formula One US Grand Prix on Nov. 18.

The statewide speed limit is still 70 mph.