Chief executive of toll road operator Transurban Chris Lynch will leave the company after handing in his resignation.

Mr Lynch intends to resign as CEO and a director of the company with effect from July 2012, Transurban said on Monday.

“I look forward to playing my part in a smooth transition process over the next few months before moving on to the next stage in my professional journey,” Mr Lynch said in a statement.

Chairman Lindsay Maxsted said Transurban had a comprehensive succession plan in place for some time, resulting in a pool of internal CEO candidates.

“We also have a well-informed, well-researched view of the external market against which any internal candidates will be tested,” he said.

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

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