The state government road, between Abels Hill Road, Launceston, and William Street, Scottsdale, was closed last week in road resealing works which Cr Howard said had needed attention for quite some time.

But Cr Howard said further upgrades were needed in order to make the road suitable for B-double truck drivers.

“It’s from St Patricks River right through to Scottsdale that needs the attention,” Cr Howard said. 

He said discussions had been opened up with the Department of State Growth, but a funding commitment had not yet been made.

“It’s only a short-term patch up job, it’s certainly not a solution to what we need for the Sideling.

“In the long-term it needs a major rebuild, widening for passing lanes, and to make it good enough that a B-double truck can travel that way to Launceston to save it having to go through Bridport and George Town.”

He said its current state led to an impost on the cost of freight in and out of the municipality.

“If you’re in Scottsdale with a truck, and you're forced to go to Launceston via Bridport and George Town and up the East Tamar Highway, you’ll travel an extra 71 kilometres compared to going over the Sideling.”  

“There will be quite substantial cost savings for people either importing or exporting freight.”

CR&S Jones Transport manager Bimbo Jones said the segment which intersected with the Brid River required attention first, and should be followed by an upgrade closer to Corkery's Rd.

Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding said the Department of State Growth had no plans to redesign the Sideling. 

“Due to the terrain at the Sidling, any major works other than routine maintenance would involve a new road alignment, which current advice indicates would be cost prohibitive,” he said. 

Mr Hidding said two other priority major freight access routes had been developed over recent years to accommodate the heavy vehicle task into the region.