Premier Daniel Andrews claims he is working with Prime Minister Tony Abbott to find alternatives for $3 billion federal funding committed to the East West Link.

Mr Andrews has halted progress on the massive road project, but says he has had some encouraging talks with Mr Abbott, though he won’t go into details.

“I'm very encouraged by recent discussions I've had with Mr Abbott, as recently as Friday week ago, about ways in which we can work together if it's in Victoria's interest,” Mr Andrews told reporters.

Mr Andrews said he was also consulting with the consortium that was to build East West Link about other options.

“I think it is fair to say we are taking more care in getting Victorians out of this contract than the previous government spent and took getting us all into it,” Mr Andrews said.

The claims follow the recent release of the previously secret business case for the East West Link.

It showed a benefit cost ratio for the toll road was just 45 cents for every $1 spent.

In fact, the former government had planned to raise tolls on other roads in order to pay for East West, and even then would only have broken even after 56 years.

But Treasurer Joe Hockey is holding out hope for the tollway to be built as planned.

He told Fairfax radio this week that talks between the federal and state government were ongoing.

“I am still hopeful that Premier Andrews will change his position on East West,” Mr Hockey said.

“Maybe Mr Hockey and Mr Abbott need to talk more,” Mr Andrews said in a later interview.