A major bridge on the highway between Sydney and Melbourne is "a roadblock" according to a transport company director because it is stopping the efficient movement of freight.
Currently, higher productivity vehicles or 30-metre long trucks known as A-double are only able to cross the northbound Sheahan Bridge at Gundagai on the Hume Highway with a permit.
In tonight's federal budget $16 million will be announced to begin planning an upgrade to the crossing that was built in 1977.
National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) chief executive Warren Clarke said the commitment did not go far enough.
"It's a little disappointing to see that there's actually no date for the start of the work," Mr Clarke said.
"I think the thing we need to remember and keep in mind is that it's for planning, not construction."
NatRoad estimates the Hume Highway carries 40 per cent of the total national road freight.
It has been calling for improvements to the bridge since last year and Mr Clarke would like both major parties to commit to fully funding the upgrade of the bridge during the yet-to-be announced federal election campaign.
"This is a crucial link in the whole road system between Sydney and Melbourne," he said.
National highway roadblock
Ron Crouch Transport director Geoff Crouch said the permit system on the bridge was onerous, time-consuming and only a small number of trucking companies were accessing them.
"The Sheahan Bridge is a roadblock as far as general access is concerned," the former chair of the Australian Trucking Association said.
"[It] is [a] vital part of our national highway network and the continual upgrading of that is essential."
Mr Crouch, whose business is based in Wagga Wagga, said it made economic and environmental sense for A-doubles to be granted full access to the Hume Highway as they were able to carry more than standard trucks, reducing the number of heavy vehicles on the road and lessening the industry's greenhouse emissions.
Efficiency is key
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council Mayor Charlie Sheahan said he knew the northbound bridge well because it was named after his great uncle, former MP William "Billy" Sheahan.
He said an upgrade of the bridge would have a positive economic impact on Gundagai by creating jobs for residents but he acknowledged the project had bigger implications.
The southbound Sheahan Bridge, which was completed as part of the duplication of the Hume Highway in 2009 for a cost of $78 million is unaffected by the load limitations.
In November, Transport for New South Wales announced it had appointed an external contractor to assess what needed to be done to improve heavy vehicle accessibility along the Hume Highway.
