Texas drought causes up to $30M in tollway damage

Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Experts have blamed the Texas drought for up to $30 million in damage to an unopened stretch of tollway in the Austin area.

The Austin American-Statesman (http://bit.ly/NcydZ7 ) reported Monday that the 2011 drought caused asphalt cracks in some parts of unfinished Texas 130. The area involves about 41 miles between Mustang Ridge and Seguin (sih-GEEN').

The private consortium building the road, in association with the Texas Department of Transportation, has been repaving since spring.

Chris Lippincott with the State Highway 130 Concession Co. says the repaired tollway should open prior to the November lease contract deadline. Lippincott says the consortium, led by Spanish toll road company Cintra (SEEN'-truh) and a subsidiary of San Antonio-based Zachry Construction Corp., is paying for the repair costs.

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Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com