Skip to main content

“Stable” 2014 for U.S. toll roads market, says Fitch Ratings

The 2014 outlook for U.S. toll roads, airports, and ports is stable despite tepid growth, according to a new Fitch Ratings report. “The growing use of Public Private Partnership, or P3, transactions to construct new or expand existing projects is largely motivated by limited resources at the state and local level, combined with uncertainty on future federal funding levels,” said Scott Zuchorski, director in Global Infrastructure and Project Finance at Fitch Ratings. “While not a panacea for all funding is
December 11, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
The 2014 outlook for U.S. toll roads, airports, and ports is stable despite tepid growth, according to a new Fitch Ratings report.

“The growing use of Public Private Partnership, or P3, transactions to construct new or expand existing projects is largely motivated by limited resources at the state and local level, combined with uncertainty on future federal funding levels,” said Scott Zuchorski, director in Global Infrastructure and Project Finance at Fitch Ratings.

“While not a panacea for all funding issues, governments are increasingly looking to P3s for transportation projects where the economics make sense. Two-thirds of states currently have P3 enabling legislation in place, and given the size of future capital needs, Fitch expects transportation P3s to continue to rise in 2014.”

The stable 2014 outlook for the U.S. toll roads sector is said by Fitch Ratings to reflect continued slow growth in aggregate driving across the country. The firm reports that even in a declining traffic scenario, mature assets and systems with a combination of pricing power, robust liquidity and moderate leverage retain considerable resilience to sustain current rating levels. According to Fitch Ratings, forecasting risk remains high for recently constructed or green field standalone projects, which may be more vulnerable to a sustained weak economic environment.

Related Content

  • Cummins sets new quarterly record
    November 6, 2023
    The US-headquartered global off-highway machine engine giant posted a 15% year-on-year revenue rise to US$8.4 billion.
  • India pushing ahead with infrastructure projects
    July 4, 2012
    Despite the economic downturn, India looks to be pressing ahead with its major infrastructure projects to further boost its incredible growth. Patrick Smith reports India, which like most countries has been affected by the current economic climate, although not to the same extent, is pressing ahead with its ambitious highway construction plans. Each week new projects are completed, started or awarded as the nation seeks to improve its transportation requirements. These are needed to meet the aspirations of
  • We need better connected transport, says OECD
    May 4, 2012
    Better connected transport will drive economic growth and better protect the environment, according to the Transport Outlook 2012 report on mobility trends produced by the International Transport Forum at the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). The new influential report was launched by OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría during the Annual Summit of Transport Ministers held in Leipzig, Germany. “Transport and technology form the backbone of global trade,” said Gurría at the summ
  • UK road maintenance budgets further stretched, says ALARM survey
    March 25, 2020
    Indications last year of an improving condition for the UK’s road maintenance have not been sustained, according to a new survey.