JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI — Missouri transportation officials are moving forward with a major truck parking expansion along Interstate 70, where thousands of trucks travel daily and parking areas are already over capacity during peak hours.
On May 6, the Missouri Department of Transportation announced that the KCI Construction Team was selected as the apparent best-value proposer and Design-Build contractor for the Improve I-70: Truck Parking project. The team includes contractor KCI and designer Bartlett & West.
Negotiations to finalize the contract are currently in progress.
Project Will Add 255 Truck Parking Spaces
The project is part of MoDOT’s statewide Improve I-70 Program and will use approximately $33 million in federal INFRA Grant funds to expand truck parking availability along the I-70 corridor.
MoDOT said more than 10,000 trucks use I-70 daily. During peak hours, all public truck parking areas along I-70 are over capacity, and 75% of private truck stops are also over capacity.
Officials said providing safe off-highway truck parking helps reduce shoulder and guardrail repair costs caused by trucks parking on interstate ramps. It also removes trucks from the roadside near active traffic.
The winning proposal includes 255 additional truck parking stalls, bringing the total number of available public truck parking stalls along the I-70 corridor to 506.
There are also nearly 2,000 privately owned truck parking spaces along the corridor.
Rest Areas to See Parking, Lighting, and Facility Upgrades
The project will improve truck parking locations at existing rest areas in Concordia, Boonville, Mineola, and Wright City.
Planned work includes pavement improvements and parking expansion at all four locations. Lighting upgrades will also be made at all sites.
Restroom facilities will be remodeled at the Wright City and Concordia locations.
The project also includes 195 car parking stalls, five RV parking stalls, and 17 acres of pollinator habitat planting spread across multiple sites.
Officials Call Selection a Major Milestone
MHTC Chairman Warren Erdman said the contractor selection marks another major milestone for MoDOT’s Statewide Improve I-70 Program.
“This project is an excellent example of MoDOT’s innovative delivery of this historic investment in infrastructure,” Erdman said. “Through federal grant funds, this project will improve existing locations and expand the availability of truck parking locations along this critical freight corridor.”
KCI Vice President of Transportation Brian Mulhall said the team is ready to continue its partnership with MoDOT.
“The KCI Team is thrilled to be selected as the Design-Build Contractor for the I-70 Truck Parking Project,” Mulhall said. “We are proud to continue our partnership with MoDOT and look forward to delivering another impactful improvement to Missouri’s I-70 corridor.”
Construction Expected to Begin in Fall 2026
Next steps include finalizing the contract, completing more detailed design work, and outlining the construction schedule and traffic control plans. MoDOT said that information will be shared through the project website.
Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2026, with total project completion anticipated in late 2028. One of the project goals is to deliver the work by December 1, 2028, within the program budget.
MoDOT said the project also aims to expand and modernize truck parking facilities, improve safety for users, minimize construction impacts, maintain mobility, focus on work zone safety, and provide expanded employment opportunities while developing and using a diverse workforce.
Design-Build combines design and construction into one contract, allowing the selected team to complete design and construction in parallel instead of one after the other. Officials said that approach saves time and resources.
Missouri’s FY2024 budget provides $2.8 billion in General Revenue for the cost of building a third lane of I-70 across the state. The broader Improve I-70 Program will plan, design, construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate, and add a third lane in each direction on nearly 200 miles of I-70 from Blue Springs to Wentzville.
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