Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he trusts that the East West Link is a viable project despite not seeing the full business case.
Mr Abbott says he's been briefed on the costs and benefits of the freeway and accepts the judgment of those briefing him that the project makes social and economic sense.
The federal coalition has pledged $1.5 billion towards the $8 billion Victorian government tollway, which would connect the Eastern Freeway to Melbourne's western suburbs.
When asked if he will see the full business case before signing off on the money, Mr Abbott said: "I have no reason to think that the short case which has been published is in any way mendacious".
"I mean, we're talking here about officials who have a lifetime of public service behind them," he told Fairfax Radio on Friday.
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Mr Abbott said inner city residents will benefit enormously from the link by removing through traffic from local streets.
"Those precincts and communities and neighbourhoods will be returned to the people and they won't be choking on traffic," he said.
