U.S. Toll Road Sector Resilient Despite Economic Downturn

Toll roads in the U.S. continue to maintain high investment-grade ratings despite prolonged economic malaise, according to a new Fitch Ratings report.

“Rating changes from small reductions in traffic volumes or slowing growth were tempered due to continued, albeit reduced, pricing power,” said Scott Zuchorski, Director in Fitch’s Global Infrastructure and Project Finance group. “Out of Fitch’s rated U.S. toll roads, 61% are rated ‘A’ or higher.”

Fitch conducted a peer review of its rated U.S. toll roads and introduced attribute assessments of stronger, midrange or weaker for each of the five key rating drivers identified in the toll road rating criteria.

Volume, price, and overall debt burden continue to be the three most important components of Fitch’s U.S. toll road ratings.

The special report, titled ‘Peer Review of U.S. Toll Roads: Attribute Assessments, Metrics, and Ratings’ is available on the Fitch Ratings web site at ‘www.fitchratings.com’.

Tags: Fitch

Category: General Update, Transit News