Toll road operator Transurban says it is experiencing a difficult operating environment but still expects to meet its previous guidance on what it will pay securityholders over the course of the financial year.

Transurban owns Melbourne’s CityLink, and Sydney’s M2 and Lane Cove Tunnel.

It also holds major stakes in Sydney’s M1 Eastern Distributor, Westlink M7 and the M5, plus the Pocahontas Parkway in Virginia in the United States.

Transurban on Thursday said it still expected to pay investors “at least 29 cents per security” in the 2011/2012 financial year, which the company as .

In slides shown to investors at a presentation day in Sydney, Transurban said several factors had made its operating environment difficult.

Unusually wet and cool weather in Sydney over January and February had resulted in motorists making fewer trips and had caused more accidents.

Transurban’s M2 toll road, which is being upgraded, and assets adjoining the M2 had also experienced a higher-than-expected impact from construction.

Transurban also said there were signs of “economic” impacts on traffic.

The company in February booked a net profit for the six months to December 31, 2011, of $93.2 million, up 24.9 per cent on the prior corresponding period, boosted by greater toll revenues and traffic numbers.

Transurban securities were five cents lower at $5.62 on Thursday.