Aaron was one of a small handful of workers in the throng of government staff and media who were at the Anthonys Cutting realignment site last week for the official start of construction.

Mr Rudd said the $200million project would create 1000 jobs, including Aaron Batty's.

Aaron kindly softened up the hard ground so Mr Rudd could turn, with ease, the first sod of the $200million project.

The Anthonys Cutting realignment will straighten five kilometres of the Western Freeway between Melton West and Bacchus Marsh. Mr Rudd acknowledged the need for the project in a location - the dangerous dip and bend over Djerriwarrh Creek - where there had been 21 major accidents in the past five years.

Commenting on the drive through Anthonys Cutting, Mr Rudd remarked: "I think I know why we're changing this".

The Cutting section of the freeway is used by more than 25,000 cars and 4000 trucks each day.

The PM asked state Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas if the $160million federal contribution on top of the State Government's $40million was "a good deal". Mr Pallas nodded enthusiastically.

The project will include access for residents to Hopetoun Park and Long Forrest Road.

But despite constant lobbying, VicRoads will not build a full-interchange at Bulmans Road in Melton West.

Melton Council CEO Neville Smith said the interchange was needed to cope with the heavier traffic stemming from growth on Melton township's western edge.

VicRoads regional director for metropolitan north-west Nial Finegan said an interchange at Bulmans Road would be too close to the existing Coburns Road interchange.

He acknowledged Coburns Road was at capacity, but Bulmans Road would have an overpass linking Brookfield and Melton West, which would take some of the traffic off Coburns Road.

Mr Finegan also said VicRoads would closely monitor truck movements at the site to ensure loads were covered and residents in Melton did not have to put up with excessive dust.