Former premier Jeff Kennett says he is disappointed the East West Link will displace the dramatic entrance to the city formed by the "cheesesticks" – an architectural monument on CityLink put in place by his government.

The 70-metre yellow steel beam suspended over CityLink, and the accompanying 39 red "sticks", frame the freeway's city exit in Flemington.

Citylink's 'Cheese stick'. Credit:Justin McManus

They are officially called the Melbourne International Gateway.

"I wanted people to understand when they were driving in from the airport that they were driving in through a gateway into the marvellous assets of this city," said Mr Kennett, whose government opened CityLink in 1999.