South Bay Expressway

The South Bay Expressway (SBX), Macquarie's first foray into the US toll business continues to be a bear for the group. Data released to the Sydney Stock Exchange show traffic in the latest quarter (2009Q3) down 13.6% on the prior corresponding period of 2008 for average daily transactions of 22.5k, v 26.1k in the tollroad's first year.

South Bay Expressway (CA125) east of San Diego California is increasing FasTrak transponder tolls for cars by roughly 10% but increasing cash tolls by 20% or more. Tolls for cars to go the 16km (10 mile) length of the tollroad from State Route 54 (CA54) to Otay Mesa Rd go from $3.50 to $3.85 with a FasTrak transponder but from $3.75 to $4.50 for cash.  Those are tolls of about 39c/mile with a  transponder and 49c/mile by cash.

The South Bay Expressway (SBE) in the eastern part of the San Diego area opened Monday (Nov 19) after ceremonies the prior Friday. The tollroad 15km (9.3mi) long has had what is described in local reports as "light to moderate" traffic this week. Forecasts have been that average daily traffic will settle early in the range 30k to 40k.

George Washington, Ho Chi Minh, Charles de Gaulle and Churchill all knew it for war and politics. And for roads Kent Olsen and Michael Schneider of Parsons Brinkerhoff and then Greg Hulsizer with Macquarie at the South Bay Expressway.

Tenacity, sticking at it, staying there fighting, and surviving after your opponents have wearied is often the key to success.