VicRoads is due to release regular counts of truck traffic on streets in Footscray and surrounding suburbs, but Maribyrnong Truck Action Group representatives say they have seen the as-yet unreleased counts and the figures are alarming.

MTAG spokesman Peter Knight said the biggest jumps in truck traffic were on Moore and Buckley streets, Footscray. Neither street has a truck curfew limiting heavy vehicle movements at night. MTAG wants curfews immediately expanded to include those streets.

Night truck traffic has increased by 46per cent on Moore Street, Footscray, and there has been an overall increase of almost a quarter.

Close to 2500 trucks use Moore Street daily. Buckley Street, Footscray, has seen an increase in night truck traffic of 30per cent. Close to 3000 trucks a day use Buckley Street.

VicRoads has released the preferred route for a $380million truck connection linking the West Gate Freeway with Footscray Road and the port. It will mean 21 homes and more businesses will be demolished to enable widening of Hyde and Whitehall streets and part of Francis Street. The state government has committed $20million for work on Shepherd Bridge, but that leaves a$360 million shortfall. The project was left off Infrastructure Australia's priority list, a crucial step in getting federal government money. "With Infrastructure Australia saying they're not recommending funding, we feel it's being framed as a transport issue; it should also be thought of as a health issue," Mr Knight said.