The six-kilometre East West Link tollway through Melbourne's inner north will be built after Planning Minister Matthew Guy announced he had approved the project on Monday.

But some elements of the massively controversial road project have been culled following the recommendations of a 30-day planning panel hearing held in April.

Much of Royal Park's heritage-listed grounds have been spared the bulldozer after Mr Guy axed the Elliott Avenue interchange from the design. The road will instead be built with access to Flemington Road, "subject to further detailed design work", Mr Guy said.

Refinements to the design of the nest of flyovers at the tunnel's western end in Parkville will also be required.

“I have approved the East West Link eastern section as a wholly integrated project that will deliver a critical transport connection for Victoria," Mr Guy said.