But the $4 million planning study titled the Rutherglen Heavy Vehicle Alternative Route project, jointly funded by the Victorian and federal governments, and yesterday's final decision is just the first step with completion and implementation of the route still months away.

The alternative route will see heavy vehicles travel on the Murray Valley Highway to use Douglas, Reid and Scott streets to connect to the existing heavy vehicle route of Rutherglen-Wahgunyah Road and Federation Way then back to the Murray Valley Highway.

Regional Roads Victoria finalised the new peak hour route following an extensive planning process which amounted for lengthy delays.

This included community consultation with more than 500 people, traffic surveys, technical reports and assessment of more than 20 alternative routes.

RRV north eastern regional director Steve Bowmaker said the planning study was in response to community calls for improved safety through the centre of Rutherglen.

The community was also calling for better traffic flow through Main Street and overall livability in the centre of town.

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"We've listened to the Rutherglen community's calls to reduce heavy vehicle numbers in Main Street," he said.

"Removing most heavy vehicle traffic during the busiest times of day immediately relieves pressure on the centre of town, making the central business district more accessible for residents, tourists, pedestrians and cyclists."

RRV is proposing a curfew is introduced to reduce heavy vehicle numbers at the busiest times of day with trucks only allowed to use the current route down Main Street at night.

Trucks will be required to use the alternative route from 7am to 7pm.

The curfew will also ensure residents and business owners on the alternative route are not impacted by heavy vehicle use of the route at night.

"The next step is to work with residents living on the alternative route and Indigo Shire Council, to identify any additional safety upgrades including pedestrian crossings, lighting, line-marking and footpaths that might be introduced," Mr Bowmaker said.

Construction work on the heavy vehicle alternative route to improve the current road network is expected to start early next year and aims to be completed by mid-2020.

Upgrades will include shoulder sealing along Federation Way, curfew signs, intersection improvements and priority changes and pedestrian facilities.

RRV is calling for community feedback as well as feedback from other key stakeholders including heavy vehicle operators and Indigo Shire Council to help complete the design process and to formalise a construction program in order to complete the project.

To get in touch with RRV about the project email ner.enquiries@roads.vic.gov.au