PM urged to get on board Vic road project

Victorian Labor is urging Prime Minister Tony Abbott to get on board the $5.5 billion tunnel and freeway project proposed for Melbourne's west.

Transurban's proposal for a new tunnel and elevated highway linking the West Gate Bridge to Citylink relies on $2 billion from the commonwealth, with the rest to come from tolls.

Premier Daniel Andrews has yet to speak to Mr Abbott about the proposal that was made public on Thursday, but is urging the prime minister to "get on board".

"I have accepted that Tony Abbott ... will not fund passenger rail. I've accepted that, but I think Victorians would be very disappointed to learn the federal government don't want to fund road projects either," Mr Andrews told reporters.

Talks are under way with Transurban about its tolling plans, which could include tolling trucks but not cars in some areas.

It could also extend Transurban's tolling of CityLink traffic beyond the current 2035 cut-off.

If approved, construction could begin in 2015 and end in 2020.