A state MP is calling for an independent audit into the design and construction of Orange's Northern Distributor.

The member for Orange Andrew Gee says the investigation needs to examine a number of issues including the building specifications that were used for the bypass.

The road cost around $30 million to construct.

Mr Gee said ratepayers had the right to know what money was spent to maintain the distributor.

"Well the state of the road I think is embarrassing, I think it's shocking, I think it's unbelievable and out of all of this I've come to the conclusion that we need full transparency," Mr Gee said.

"We need to know what the building instructions given to the contractors (were), was Orange Council warned about the build standard, how much has been spent on repairs and is there any sight to the drain on taxpayers' money?"

Mr Gee says he understands the Orange City Council intended to transfer ownership of the bypass to the then Roads and Traffic Authority, to be managed as a state road.

He said a lot of questions needed to be answered.

"The public has an interest in knowing what's gone on with the road and that's the result of it.

"Rather than try to palm off responsibility to other governments and taxpayers, I think what we need, rather than do that, what we need is full transparency.

"We need to find out exactly what's gone on with the road, what were the instructions given to the contractors."

The Orange City Council has hit back, saying it never intended for the road to be built to a highway standard.

The spokesman Nick Redmond said it was disappointing Mr Gee has taken this approach.

"Some politicians seek to make political points and that's what they think representation is," Mr Redmond said.

"We'll just get on with doing what we do.

"Local government is not always the most popular entity in Australia and for some politicians they think there's mileage in giving councils a kick."

Mr Redmond said the bypass was achieving its aim to divert thousands of vehicles from the central business district.

"The intention of building the road was not to somehow pass it onto the State Government.

"The intention was always to remove heavy vehicles from Summer Street.

"At its peak on some sections of the road, we're getting 10,000 vehicles and more than 1500 are heavy vehicles."