The Victorian government plans to sign contracts for the building of the $8 billion East West Link next week, a court has been told.
A resident's legal action to stop the controversial roadway failed in the Victorian Supreme Court last week but the decision is being appealed.
State government barrister Mark Moshinksy QC told the Court of Appeal on Wednesday the proceedings were time sensitive, with the contracts due to be signed next week.
Mr Moshinksy said the state was eager to sign the contracts before entering the formal caretaking period ahead of the November 29 election.
Justices David Beach and Geoffrey Nettle set down an urgent appeal hearing for Monday.
In his failed bid for an injunction, resident Anthony Murphy had argued the East West Link was based on deceptive and misleading figures.
The state has named the East West Connect consortium its preferred bidder for the project, which would link the Eastern Freeway to the western suburbs.
Labor says it won't build the road if elected in November, and wants the government to delay signing the contracts until after the poll.
A spokesperson said the government was on track to conclude the tender process by October.
"Today we provided assurances to the court that we would not sign a contract for stage 1 of the east west link project before close of business Tuesday 23rd September," the spokesperson said.
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