MIG Eastern Distributor (M1) M4 and M5 Traffic November 2001

04 December 2001

Macquarie Infrastructure Group (MIG), today announced details on traffic use for the Eastern Distributor (M1), M4 and M5 toll roads in Sydney.

MIG currently owns 71.35% of the equity in the Airport Motorway Group, which holds a concession for the Eastern Distributor (M1) ending in 2048. It owns 50.6% of Statewide Roads Limited, which holds a concession for the M4 toll road until 2010. It also owns 50% of Interlink Roads Pty Limited, which holds a concession for the M5 toll road that expires in 2022.

Airport Motorway Group - M1
Table 1: Average Daily Traffic - Eastern Distributor (M1)

Average daily toll revenue (net of GST) for Airport Motorway in November 2001 was $104,183, a 17.7% increase relative to November 2000.

Average daily tolled traffic on the Eastern Distributor (M1) for November 2001 was 7.2% higher than November 2000 and 5.6% higher than October 2001. Record numbers featured on the road this month, with the highest average daily number recorded since open. Also Friday 30th November featured the highest level of usage for the road ever with 39,229 vehicles.

Average weekday traffic on the Eastern Distributor (M1) for November 2001 was 7.7% higher than November 2000.

Average traffic on weekends and public holidays on the Eastern Distributor (M1) for November 2001 was 5.4% higher than November 2000.

Non-cash transactions on the Eastern Distributor (M1) consisted of 28% of average daily traffic in November 2001 (October 2001: 26%).

Interlink Roads - M5
Table 2: Average Daily Traffic - M5

Average daily toll revenue (net of GST) for Interlink Roads in November 2001 was $211,189 a 23.5% increase relative to November 2000.

Average daily traffic on the M5 for November 2001 was 3.3% higher than November 2000 and 3.3% higher than October 2001. This month was a record month for the M5, with the average daily number being higher than any other month since open. In addition, an all time high featured on this road on Friday 30th November 2001, with 77,449 vehicles using the road.

Average weekday traffic on the M5 for November 2001 was 4.1% higher than November 2000.

Average traffic on weekends and public holidays on the M5 for November 2001 was 0.8% higher than November 2000.

Non-cash transactions on the M5 in November 2001 consisted of 62% of average daily traffic (October 2001: 61%).

The government announced on the weekend that the last set of traffic lights on the drive between North Sydney and Albury will be removed under a deal set to be finalised between the State Government and Interlink Roads. The $31 million project will see Moorebank Avenue pass over the M5, removing a notorious traffic bottleneck. Removing the intersection should cut travel times, improve road safety and reduce congestion on the M5.

The project will also involve an extra lane on the M5 in each direction between Moorebank Avenue and Heathcote Road, a distance of almost 1.5 kilometres.
Under the terms of the in-principle agreement, Interlink Roads will provide funding for the project in return for an extension of 1.1 years to the toll period on the M5, previously scheduled to expire in June 2022. This announcement coincides with the forth-coming opening of the M5 East, which is scheduled to open on Sunday 9th December 2001.

Statewide Roads – M4
Table 3: Average Daily Traffic - M4

Average daily toll revenue (net of GST) for Statewide Roads in November 2001 was $197,228 a 10.3% increase relative to November 2000.

Average daily traffic on the M4 for November 2001 was 5.8% higher than November 2000 and 3.3% higher than October 2001.

Average weekday traffic on the M4 for November 2001 was 6.5% higher than November 2000.

Average traffic on weekends and public holidays on the M4 for November 2001 was 3.6% higher than November 2000.

Non-cash transactions on the M4 in November 2001 consisted of 45% of average daily traffic (October 2001: 45%).

For further information, please contact:

Dennis Eagar
Division Director
Macquarie Infrastructure Investment Management Limited
Tel: (02) 8232 6771
Mobile: 0414 345 176
Email: dennis.eagar@macquarie.com