And it is not just the Barton Highway that has missed out in a budget that almost excludes rural roads. Instead, $9.7 billion will be spent on metropolitan roads and projects promised at the 2015 election, with a focus on Western Sydney.

State Member for Goulburn, Pru Goward, commented that although the Barton wasn’t given its own line item in the budget, funds could be found through money previously set aside for projects across the state.

“Sydney has a number of significant infrastructure projects that require complementary investment to accommodate their growth. The investment in these projects, as outlined in Tuesday’s budget isn’t a surprise and has been publicly discussed for a number of years,” she said.

This year's budget reported a surplus of $3.4 billion for 2015-16 and forecasts a $3.7 billion surplus for 2016-17, with surpluses projected across the forward estimates.

“The state’s triple-A credit rating has been reaffirmed and since we were elected in 2011, 338,600 jobs were created across NSW,” Ms Goward said.  

“There’s more than $3 million to go to Yass Valley Council to upgrade and maintain local roads across the local government area.” 

Convener of the Barton Highway Community Action Group, Sophie Wade, is disappointed by the June budget.

“Clearly, looking at the NSW budget they do have funds to invest but I expect they won’t say there’s money for the Barton until they have a Federal Government willing to contribute the 80 per cent,” she said.

“The problem, as I see it, is that the state and federal governments need to achieve consensus to proceed before anything will happen. Pru Goward made it clear, when speaking to Tim Shaw on radio, that the NSW Government is ready and willing to deliver on its $3 million commitment from March last year. It’s the $12 million promised by Angus Taylor they can’t agree on.”

“Right now I believe the NSW Government will come good. What I’m struggling to believe is that the current government will honour a $50 million promise when they won’t honour their $12 million promise of last year.”

As a result of the budget withholding funds for the Barton Highway, Labor candidate Mike Kelly’s $76 million promise has been rendered moot, relying on state funding being made available.

“I think everyone in the region is very disappointed that the NSW Liberals refused to commit to the duplication of the Barton Highway,” Dr Kelly said. “It shows us once again how the Liberals have nothing but contempt for the Yass Valley and regional Australia.”

Despite no money having been handed down in the recent budget, Dr Kelly hopes that if elected he will be in a position to start a re-negotiation for the duplication of the Barton Highway.

“Federal and state governments frequently re-negotiate and re-allocate funding for road projects across the year,” he continued.

“We know that just having overtaking lanes doesn’t cut it.

“NSW Labor Leader Luke Foley understands the importance of this project. That’s why he committed a future state Labor government to the duplication last week.

While coalition candidate Peter Hendy’s announcement of $50 million does not include full duplication, it is not contingent on state funding being obtained.

Dr Hendy’s Barton Highway Duplication Package will include: $45 million for overtaking lanes, focused on locations which will form the duplication corridor; $1.75 million for a duplication business case; and $3.25 million for safety upgrades.

Despite the effects of Dr Kelly’s funding, Ms Wade is concerned that a marginal seat won’t lead to full duplication.

“My hope is that our electorate remains marginal. If we were to become a safe seat, then the Barton would once again be the recipient of the government complacency that is the hallmark of a safe seat."

Road transport funding includes the following items:

* $2.9 billion for WestConnex, the largest transport project in Australia, linking Sydney’s west and south-west with the CBD, the airport and Port Botany.

* $1.5 billion for the Pacific Highway to continue the duplication program, with construction underway on all remaining sections between Port Macquarie and Glenugie. 

* $1.5 billion for road maintenance, including bridge rebuilding, pavement rehabilitation and traffic facilities maintenance.

* $338 million for Western Sydney Roads to support Sydney’s second airport at Badgerys Creek.

* $147 million for Western Sydney Growth Roads to support population and economic growth in Western Sydney.

* $76 million over four years on cycleways to encourage cycling for short local trips and help reduce congestion and overcrowding on roads and public transport.

* $283 million towards construction of NorthConnex.