The Victorian government promises a new multibillion-dollar tunnel in Melbourne's west will allow faster commuter times but the trucking industry has slammed the project as unfair.
The four-kilometre West Gate Tunnel will be a toll road designed to free up thoroughfares in Footscray and Yarraville, which will be banned to trucks.
This will make travel times from the western suburbs, Geelong and Ballarat 20 minutes faster, Premier Daniel Andrews says.
He told journalists on Sunday the infrastructure project was a win for public safety, air quality and noise.
However, Victorian Transport Association head Peter Anderson said the bans and new toll would put more pressure on an industry "already under financial attack".
"While we absolutely understand the need to strike a balance between amenity for residents and economic fairness for operators, a permanent ban is not the right way to go about it and sends a message to operators that their contribution to society isn't valued or appreciated," he said.
Mr Anderson said suggestions for alternative ways of reducing truck movements, such as making existing roads safer and using travel restrictions, had been ignored by the government.
Asked by reporters on Sunday how the VTA had reacted to the new project, Roads Minister Luke Donnellan painted a different picture.
"There simply hasn't been anger or anything like that," he said.
"As an industry they understand that we need them on the major arterials, that they need a direct way into the port and that has to be paid for one way or another."
The government says the tunnel will take five years to build and will feature two three-lane tunnels, noise walls and new space for cycling and walking.
Builders John Holland and CPB Contractors have won the tender for the project.
Mr Andrews said the infrastructure project would create 6000 new jobs.
Opposition roads spokesman Ryan Smith said the project would do little to ease growing traffic problems.
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