The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is holding a groundbreaking ceremony for the project at the eastbound I-70 rest area in Concordia. Construction is expected to begin this fall, with the improvements scheduled for completion in late 2028.

The project is funded through a $33 million federal grant.

Project Targets One of Missouri’s Busiest Freight Corridors

Interstate 70 serves as one of Missouri’s primary freight routes, carrying more than 10,000 trucks each day.

According to MoDOT, truck parking demand regularly exceeds available capacity. During peak periods, all public truck parking areas along the I-70 corridor are full, while approximately 75% of private truck stops also operate at or above capacity.

State officials say the additional parking is intended to improve safety by giving drivers more legal places to park and comply with hours-of-service requirements.

Eight Locations Will Receive Additional Parking

The project includes improvements at rest areas in Concordia, Boonville, Mineola and Wright City.

In addition to resurfacing work, each location will receive new truck parking spaces.

The planned improvements include:

• Wright City Westbound: 44 new spaces, increasing capacity to 64 truck parking spaces.
• Wright City Eastbound: 49 new spaces, increasing capacity to 67 spaces.
• Mineola Westbound: 24 new spaces, increasing capacity to 88 spaces.
• Mineola Eastbound: 25 new spaces, increasing capacity to 54 spaces.
• Boonville Westbound: 40 new spaces, increasing capacity to 60 spaces.
• Boonville Eastbound: 28 new spaces, increasing capacity to 49 spaces.
• Concordia Westbound: 29 new spaces, increasing capacity to 48 spaces.
• Concordia Eastbound: 16 new spaces, increasing capacity to 44 spaces.

Several locations will also receive pavement improvements and minor facility upgrades.

Industry Leaders Join Groundbreaking Ceremony

The groundbreaking ceremony includes representatives from Missouri transportation agencies, the trucking industry and the construction team overseeing the project.

Scheduled speakers include Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Chairman Warren Erdman, Missouri Trucking Association CEO Tom Crawford, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association President Todd Spencer, KCI Construction President Tom Huster and Improve I-70 Truck Parking Project Director Dan Oesch.

Truck Parking Remains a National Challenge

Truck parking continues to rank among the trucking industry’s most frequently cited concerns, with drivers often spending valuable driving time searching for available parking near the end of their workday.

Projects that expand parking along major freight corridors have become a growing focus for state transportation agencies as freight volumes increase and parking demand continues to outpace available capacity.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: August 28, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Image Source: MDOT

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The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission announced it selected the KCI Construction Team as the apparent best value proposer and design-build contractor for the Improve I-70: Truck Parking project, which is part of Missouri’s larger Improve I-70 Program.

The project targets truck parking locations in Concordia, Boonville, Mineola, and Wright City.

Once completed, the expansion will add 255 truck parking spaces along the corridor, bringing the total number of available public truck parking stalls at those locations to 506.

The work also includes bathroom remodels at the Concordia and Wright City facilities, along with upgraded lighting at all four truck parking sites.

Contract negotiations are still underway. Construction is expected to begin this fall, with completion projected for late 2028.

Truck parking shortages have remained a major issue along freight corridors nationwide, including I-70 through Missouri, where parking fills quickly during evening and overnight hours.

According to the state, more than 10,000 trucks travel Missouri’s I-70 corridor daily. Officials said public truck parking locations along the route regularly operate over capacity during peak hours, while roughly 75% of private truck stops along the corridor also exceed capacity levels.

Missouri currently has nearly 2,000 privately owned truck parking spaces along the I-70 corridor in addition to the public parking locations included in the expansion project.

Funding for the work includes approximately $33 million through the federal INFRA Grant program tied to Missouri’s Improve I-70 initiative.

For drivers running across Missouri, additional legal parking capacity along I-70 could help reduce some of the nightly pressure tied to finding safe places to stop before hours of service limits run out.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: May 14, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Image Source: Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission

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Located off Interstate 57 at U.S. Route 62, Exit 12, this new travel stop is just about 16 miles from the existing Love’s in Sikeston, adding another reliable destination for drivers on the road.

With this launch, Love’s now operates 25 travel stops across Missouri, further solidifying its commitment to meeting the needs of drivers throughout the region.

Features of Charleston Love’s Location:

• Parking: 76 dedicated truck parking spaces

• Dining Options: Love’s Fresh Kitchen and Arby’s are now open

• Diesel Bays: Seven diesel bays

• Showers: Four private showers are available for professional drivers

• Laundry: On-site laundry facilities for added convenience

• CAT Scale: Ensuring accurate weights for trucks

• Dog Park: A pet-friendly area where drivers’ furry companions can stretch their legs

• Self-Checkout: Options for faster and easier transactions

This new location combines essential services with added conveniences to create an experience that exceeds the expectations of busy professional drivers.

Whether you’re fueling up, grabbing a meal, or taking a break to recharge, Love’s aims to deliver quality amenities and comfort every step of the way.

Source: Truckers News
Image Source: Love’s Travel Stops

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MoDOT’s Freight Plan and the Focus on Truck Parking

MoDOT is currently revisiting its State Freight and Rail Plan, described by Levi Woods, administrator of freight and waterways, as a “strategic document that outlines the visions, goals and priorities of Missouri’s freight and passenger rail systems.” This comprehensive plan covers a variety of transportation sectors, including trucks, rail, air, and waterways.

An essential aspect of this plan is truck parking, which MoDOT acknowledges as a critical element for transportation safety. Missouri’s previous 2022 plan included an extensive 106-page truck parking profile, which was created with significant input from truck drivers.

“Who’s better to ask than the folks using the system themselves?” Woods explained. “We want to hear from the experts, the people in there doing it day in, day out.”

Truck Drivers’ Voices Needed in Updated Parking Analysis

To ensure the new plan effectively addresses truck parking challenges, MoDOT is collecting data through an updated truck parking analysis. The revised analysis will include a fresh parking survey designed for truck drivers, gathering feedback on their experiences and identifying areas where improvements are most needed.

Truckers have until March 16 to complete the survey, which can be accessed here or by scanning the QR code provided below. The survey is mobile-friendly, takes under 10 minutes to complete, and guarantees confidentiality.

Drivers will answer questions covering topics such as preferred parking amenities and locations where additional parking is required.

The more responses MoDOT receives, the more comprehensive and effective the planning process can be. However, participation has historically been low—during the 2022 analysis, MoDOT sent nearly 8,000 emails to Missouri-based truck drivers, but only 16 completed the survey in full.

“I know these folks get inundated with surveys all the time, but this information really is valuable to us in making the best decisions going forward possible to help them and again, to keep everyone safe,” Woods emphasized.

Focused Efforts on Interstate 70 and Beyond

Feedback from the survey could help guide the expansion of truck parking options, particularly along Interstate 70, a key artery for freight movement in Missouri. Other areas may also see improvements if truck drivers highlight recurring parking challenges in those regions.

Federal funding could play a significant role in these initiatives. MoDOT’s website explains that freight and rail plans are tied to federal grants, which can include funding for truck parking improvements.

Additionally, nationwide efforts to address truck parking shortages are underway. On February 27, Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., reintroduced the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, which aims to allocate $755 million toward parking expansion across the country.

Source: Land Line

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