The head of the Barton Highway Community Action Group says a reduction in the number of overtaking lanes to be built along the troubled corridor shows the government's "complete disinterest" in addressing the road's safety issues.
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The draft improvement strategy, released in 2015, listed a short-term investment priority as implementing four new overtaking lanes, including in the section close to the ACT border.
More than 135 crashes were recorded on the road between 2009 and 2013 with the majority between Murrumbateman and the capital.
But the final Barton Highway Improvement Strategy indicated two new overtaking lanes would be introduced along the 52-kilometre highway despite using the same traffic volume data from 2014.
A Transport for New South Wales spokesman did not rule out the development of additional overtaking lanes in the future.
"The final strategy, which incorporates feedback from community consultation and assessments of the existing road performance, has identified the short-term need to construct two overtaking lanes to improve journeys on the Barton Highway," he said.
"We're constantly monitoring the performance of roads across the state to ensure they are efficient and safe for motorists. As part of this ongoing work, we'll be exploring other possible improvements that can be delivered, including more overtaking lanes on [the] Barton Highway."
Barton Highway Community Action Group convener Sophie Wade welcomed the release of the Barton Highway Improvement Strategy as a means to measure the government's progress on the issue but questioned the shift in priorities.
"A year ago they really recognised urgent safety improvements required four overtaking lanes ... [and] all of a sudden there's a need for two," she said.
"It's dropped off for no good reason. This shows their complete disinterest in fixing these safety issues.
"I find it disgusting - essentially they took half the safety elements out and you can't see why in the data."
Labor lashed out at the perceived backdown on the duplication of the Barton Highway.
Last week Roads and Maritime Services would not confirm it would spend a promised $1.75 million on a business case for duplication but Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester reaffirmed the commitment on Tuesday.
In the interim The Barton Highway Improvement Strategy stated the predicted $1 billion investment needed to duplicate the highway "cannot be justified in the near future".
Eden-Monaro MHR Mike Kelly said the document failed to take into account the tourism and economic potential of the highway.
"They're taking us for suckers and mugs," he said.
Mr Chester pointed out Labor failed to uphold a promise to duplicate the Barton in 2007.
"The Australian Government has committed an additional $50 million in funding towards further upgrades of the Barton Highway," he said.
"This includes $45 million for overtaking lanes, $3.25 million for safety upgrades, and $1.75 million for the development of a business case."
NRMA local director Kate Lundy said the Barton Highway Improvement Strategy was a welcome first step in improving the road.
"A number of the safety measures highlighted in the strategy document will go some way to making the highway safer," she said.
"For example, overtaking lanes and improving the shoulder-width of highways has delivered positive results when implemented on other highways. However, the NRMA sees this is as a first step and will continue to push for full duplication."
