The first stage includes the addition of two new northbound lanes on the major road, from just south of the NSW/ACT border to the intersection of Rolfe Road.

While initial preparations had been under way on the $200 million project since November, such as fencing and site set up, work on duplication of the road started this week.

The initial stage of duplication is expected to be completed by 2023.

The highway is expected to be duplicated in later stages from the ACT border to the Hume Highway, while bypassing Murrumbateman.

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Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the first stage of duplication work was able to be extended further than initially planned.

"The first stage of duplication works on the Barton Highway are expected to be extended by a further 2.5 kilometres out to Kaveney's Road," he said.

"[The duplication] will directly benefit the 13,000 motorists and heavy vehicle operators who travel along this section of road each day."

It's expected the duplicated road will have a 100km/h speed limit once completed.

The Barton Highway has long been a notorious hotspot for drivers in the region, regularly named one of the worst or more dangerous roads in the ACT.

Goulburn MP in NSW parliament Wendy Tuckerman said 70 per cent of workers on the duplication project were from the local area.

"Around 200 people from the area have been inducted since work started with the local contribution critical to finishing early work, and will be integral as we start major construction," she said.