MoDOT Using $30 Million Federal Grant to Fix I-70 Truck Parking — Finally Some Good News?

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Truck Parking: The Problem Nobody Fixed… Until Now?

If you’ve ever run I-70 through Missouri after 6 p.m., you already know the deal.

Rest areas packed.
On-ramps full.
Shoulders looking like a truck show nobody asked for.

Now the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is getting a $30 million federal grant to improve truck parking along I-70.

And for once, this isn’t just talk.

This is money on the table.

But let’s break it down Diesel-style — no fluff.

What’s the Plan?

The $30 million federal grant is aimed at expanding truck parking capacity along the I-70 corridor — one of the busiest freight highways in the country.

Translation:

• More truck parking spaces
• Upgraded rest areas
• Possibly new technology to help drivers find available spots
• Safety improvements around high-traffic areas

That’s the headline.

But the real question is…

Will it actually fix the problem?

Why This Matters More Than Headlines Say

Truck parking isn’t just inconvenient.

It’s dangerous.

When drivers can’t find legal parking:

• They park on shoulders
• They squeeze into ramps
• They violate HOS just trying to find a spot
• They drive fatigued instead of shutting down

And guess who gets blamed?

The driver.

Meanwhile, freight volumes increased for years while parking capacity barely moved.

You can’t demand strict HOS compliance and then give drivers nowhere to legally park.

That math doesn’t work.

$30 Million Sounds Big… But Is It?

Let’s keep it real.

Infrastructure isn’t cheap.

Land acquisition, construction, lighting, security, drainage, pavement, signage — it adds up fast.

So while $30 million sounds massive, in highway construction terms?

It’s helpful… but not transformational.

It might add a few hundred spaces.

That’s good.

But thousands are needed nationwide.

Missouri is making a move.

The rest of the country better pay attention.

The Bigger Picture: Why Now?

Here’s what’s interesting.

For years, truck parking has been talked about at conferences.

Studied.

Debated.

Written into reports.

Now we’re finally seeing federal money actually flow.

Why?

Because:

• Supply chain breakdowns exposed weak infrastructure
• Driver shortages got political attention
• Safety statistics became harder to ignore
• Trucking finally got louder about the issue

In other words…

Pressure works.

Multiple Perspectives (Because It Ain’t That Simple)

The Optimistic View:

“Finally! Government is investing in drivers.”

The Skeptical View:

“This should’ve happened 15 years ago.”

The Economic View:

“Better parking reduces accidents and delays — that saves money long-term.”

The Real-World Driver View:

“I’ll believe it when I can actually find a spot at 9 p.m.”

All valid.

What This Means for Drivers Right Now

Short term?

Nothing changes overnight.

Construction takes time.

Planning takes time.

Government projects take… even more time.

But here’s what does change:

Momentum.

When one state secures federal funding and moves forward, others follow.

Because once one governor gets credit for improving truck safety, others want the same headline.

That’s how infrastructure improvements spread.

Unpopular Truth: Parking Isn’t the Only Problem

Here’s something we don’t talk about enough.

Even if parking doubles…

Drivers are still dealing with:

• Detention time
• Low freight rates in certain sectors
• Insurance hikes
• Rising living costs

Parking fixes stress.

It doesn’t fix income stability.

Which brings us to something bigger.

Control What You Can Control

You can’t control federal grants.

You can’t control MoDOT timelines.

You can’t control freight cycles.

But you can control your skill set.

Too many drivers wait for the industry to get better.

Smart drivers build options.

Because whether it’s parking shortages, automation, freight downturns, or policy shifts…

The industry always changes.

The Bottom Line

MoDOT securing $30 million to improve I-70 truck parking is good news.

Real money.

Real infrastructure.

Real acknowledgment that drivers deserve better.

Is it enough?

No.

Is it progress?

Yes.

And progress beats complaints every time.

If you run I-70, this could eventually mean:

• Less stress at shutdown
• Fewer risky parking situations
• Better compliance without panic
• Safer roads overall

That’s a win.

But remember…

Infrastructure improvements are slow.

Your income growth doesn’t have to be.

If you’re serious about building income that doesn’t depend on finding parking, dispatch calls, or freight cycles…

Learn how to make money online while you’re still trucking.

Start here:

👉 offdutymoney.com

Because waiting on the government to solve everything isn’t a strategy.

Building options is.

Stay safe out there. 🚛💡