Macquarie Atlas Roads Group (MQA)

Shares / Stock Code

MQA

Stock Exchange / Sharemarket

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Macquarie Atlas Roads Group (MQA) is a global toll road developer and operator. MQA was created out of the portfolio reorganisation of Macquarie Infrastructure Group into two separate ASX-listed toll road groups, MQA and Intoll. The company was listed on Australian Securities Exchange on 25 January, 2010. Investors can trade Macquarie Atlas Roads Group shares on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).

MQA’s strategy is to deliver growth in the value of the existing MQA portfolio of toll roads. Priorities include active management of project operations to improve earnings, efficient capital management and the refinancing of project debt as suitable opportunities emerge over the medium term. It is not expected that MQA will make any new asset acquisitions in the medium term. Ordinary dividends are not anticipated in the near to medium term. Cash flows from the sale of assets, if any, will be assessed at the time for potential return to MQA security holders or, if considered beneficial, for reinvestment in the MQA portfolio.

The Indiana Toll Road, which opened to traffic in 1956, is a 253 km long divided highway which runs the full length of northern Indiana. The Indiana Toll Road connects to the MIG, MIP and Cintra owned Chicago Skyway in the west and the Ohio turnpike in the east. It is a critical part of the transcontinental route that moves freight to and from major US distribution hubs.

On an average day approximately 150,000 transactions are conducted on the road which is two to three lanes in each direction. The eastern end of the road works on a ticket system, primarily for freight based traffic. The western end is a barrier system catering more to commuter traffic. ITR completed the installation of ETC along the full length of the road in April 2008. The lease of the Indiana Toll Road to a private consortium in June 2006 marked the first State privatisation of an existing toll road in the United States. Chicago Skyway was privatised by the City of Chicago in January 2005.