In June, Liberal candidate and standing member for Eden-Monaro Peter Hendy committed to a $50 million upgrade of the Barton Highway during his campaign.

For months, Member for Goulburn Pru Goward, Mayor Rowena Abbey and Yass Valley Council appealed to the federal government for access to the promised funds.

Newly appointed Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester, wrote to Ms Goward in early September confirming the Australian Government's four-year funding commitment of $50 million.

“This funding will secure upgrades to the Highway, including the provision of overtaking lanes and safety measures,” Mr Chester wrote.

The federal government is liaising with the state government about implementation arrangements for the commitment, prior to incorporating the project under the Infrastructure Investment Programme, which is essential for a full duplication.

“The Australian Government will continue to work closely with the NSW Government to deliver these much-needed safety and efficiency improvements for users of the highway,” he continued.

The four-year funding commitment, labelled the Barton Highway Duplication Package, does not guarantee a full duplication of the two-lane stretch of the highway, but provides $45 million for overtaking lanes that would extend the future corridor.

Another $1.75 million would go to a duplication business case that would include recommended staging and costings for the highway duplication. The remaining $3.25 million would be spent on safety upgrades, including intelligent transport systems that use real-time traffic monitoring, CCTV and electronic signage to inform motorists about traffic conditions and better manage accidents.

Despite Hendy’s initial package outline, Ms Goward is confident the money could be spent on a duplication essential in driving the business case for further funding of the project.

“A duplication would skip the need for overtaking lanes,” she said. “I lobbied Peter Hendy very hard when he was a candidate and I wrote to the Prime Minister and the Minister for Transport reminding them of the commitment they made and the importance of honouring it.”

A Barton Highway Taskforce was introduced in 2015 and includes representatives from the truck and bus industry, the NRMA, road transport professionals and the local community, primarily focused on seeking funding commitments from both state and federal governments.