The Port of Melbourne Corporation has asked the Napthine government to change its plans for part of the east-west link, fearing the toll road will create traffic bottlenecks near the port as freight trucks and cars converge in their thousands at the link's western end.

It also predicts the east-west link will trigger a boom in truck traffic in Melbourne's inner west when it opens, intensifying conflict between residents, councils and the freight industry and building political pressure to restrict truck access to local roads.

The Port of Melbourne. Credit:Craig Abraham

And it identifies what it says is a serious flaw in the design of the east-west link port connection - a four-lane elevated road planned to run parallel to CityLink for three kilometres but without any direct connection between the two.

In a submission to the planning panel that is considering the $6-$8 billion road project, the Port of Melbourne Corporation supports the link's completion, but reveals it has serious doubts about the planned port connection between the tunnel opening in Royal Park and Footscray Road.