Regional councils have requested a meeting with federal transport minister Darren Chester to argue for full duplication of the Barton Highway.
Yass mayor Rowena Abbey says a business case for duplication should be done urgently before the government begins its promised $50 million upgrade.
Regional authorities are continuing to press for full duplication of the Barton Highway between Canberra and Yass.Credit: Elesa Lee
A strategy released in January confirmed there were 137 crashes on the 52km road between 2009 and 2013, with seven deaths and 70 injuries.
Five of the seven deaths involved vehicles crossing into or across opposing travel lanes.
The strategy recommends two overtaking lanes and says duplication "cannot be justified in the immediate future".
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the territory government supports any action to make the Barton Highway safer.
"The road is a key element of the Canberra region export strategy, allowing regional producers to access international freight services at Canberra Airport," Mr Barr said.
"The ACT government has made our contribution to the road by duplicating to the ACT/NSW border, and I would encourage the federal government to work with the community on delivering their election commitment."
Local councils in southern NSW have rekindled the push for duplication following the NSW coalition reshuffle, announced on Friday.
Oxley Nationals MP Melinda Pavey has taken over the roads portfolio.
Ms Abbey, who chairs the Canberra Region Joint Organisation, said a business case was important to determine the best return on investment.
"That's all we're asking and that's why we want this meeting with Darren Chester," she said.
"The business case should be done before they finalise the decision to spend the money ($50 million).
"I think they've under estimated the number of vehicles that use the road. The last count was in 2013.
"The other thing everyone still needs to get their heads around is how much freight will use the road to get to Canberra Airport."
Ms Abbey said potential growth in passenger numbers and freight through the airport should be considered.
"There's a lot going on in this space and we haven't got all the answers," she said.
"From our perspective we're putting it on the radar because it needs to be discussed."
Mr Chester said the federal government's $50 million commitment includes $1.75m for the development of a business case.
"The upgrade works have been identified as priorities in the Barton Highway improvement strategy, which sets out a 20-year plan for a staged upgrade of the corridor, and will complement any future duplication of the highway," Mr Chester said.
"Consistent with the government's election commitment, the business case will include design works and a schedule of other major works towards duplication."
A meeting scheduled for Monday between the Canberra Region Joint Organisation and Mr Barr was postponed following the NSW reshuffle.
Ms Abbey said transport and tourism issues would be high on the agenda when the meeting occurs.
"We all view Canberra as the centre of our region, rather than Sydney," she said.
"It's really about working closely and getting co-operation across a couple of levels of government, which hasn't always been the case."