LBJ Freeway's New Toll Lanes Open

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - No more orange barrels or construction detours. The wait is finally over -- and it is even ahead of schedule. The LBJ Freeway's new TEXpress lanes opened to traffic on Thursday morning.

A motorcade of vintage cars and first responders were the first to drive in the new managed toll lanes. The new 16-mile stretch of highway is designed to keep cars moving between Interstate-35E, the Dallas North Tollway and Highway 75 in north Dallas.

These new lanes are tolled, but prices will vary from 10 cents per mile to 75 cents per mile. The rate changes depending on the amount of traffic on the toll road and the time of day. The main lanes remain free. Those opened up several weeks ago.

The speed limit for the toll lanes is 75 mph, while the main lanes are just 60 mph.

Poll: Will You Use The New Lanes?

The $2.7 billion project is three months ahead of schedule. But still, for drivers, the improvements are long overdue.

"Our quality of life is better because of this road," said Mayor Mike Rawlings at the Thursday morning opening. "Commerce is better because of this road. Families will get to their children faster because of this road. We'll be able to grow at DFW Airport because of this road."