UCM Professor: I‑70 Expansion Could Shift Missouri’s Economic Map

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Introduction — When a Highway Becomes a Growth Engine

A highway is more than asphalt and overpasses — it’s commerce, opportunity, and future bets. That’s exactly what the University of Central Missouri’s economics professor Chris Azevedo made clear recently when he broke down how the ongoing expansion of Interstate 70 in Missouri can reshape freight, jobs, and business across the state.
Missourinet

Let’s jump into what he said, what it means for trucking, and what side roads many won’t tell you about.

What the Professor Said — Key Takeaways

Professor Azevedo’s main points (via Missourinet) were:

The expansion will add a third lane in each direction along key segments of I‑70, which will drive down travel and shipping costs.
Missourinet

Once the corridor becomes more efficient and safer, more trucking companies may reroute through Missouri instead of detours or less-direct paths.
Missourinet

The improvements could attract manufacturing and distribution firms to set up shop along I‑70, turning the highway into a magnet for business growth.
Missourinet

He admits there will be short-term pain: construction delays, detours, traffic backups — things that can push trucks to bypass the corridor until things settle.
Missourinet

On return on investment: he estimates that similar projects elsewhere have yielded 10–15% annual returns — meaning a $2.8 billion investment could produce hundreds of millions in economic benefit over time.
Missourinet

Multiple Perspectives — Why People Care (and Worry)

From the Trucking / Freight Side

If travel times drop and lanes open up, your deadhead mileage and detour costs fall.

More reliability means shippers will trust the corridor more, likely pushing higher volume through I‑70.

But during construction, certain segments may become chokepoints or forced reroutes, hurting immediate earnings.

From Local Business / Real Estate

Land near interchanges, distribution centers, and industrial parks may spike in value.

New business relocations or expansions might cluster along the corridor to take advantage of the upgraded infrastructure.

From State / Government Stakeholders

Improved transportation infrastructure often justifies the upfront cost via tax revenue, job creation, and increased commerce.

But balancing disruption, environmental impact, permitting, and contractor management is the behind-the-scenes war.

From Skeptics / Realists

“These projections are optimistic” — some will argue the risks (cost overruns, funding shortfalls, utility complications) may eat profits.

The “short-term pain” could last longer and the losses during construction might outweigh projected gains in some years.

Industry Response — What Smart Players Are Already Doing

Logistics firms and trucking companies are re-evaluating route strategies, possibly shifting to or planning more use of I‑70 segments once they’re improved.

Real estate developers and industrial park planners are eyeing land along the expansion route.

State DOTs and contractors are likely working to phase construction to minimize disruption and keep freight moving.

Some are pushing for incentives to lure businesses to sites along I‑70 to lock in long-term traffic and commerce.

Bottom Line — Invest in the Road, But Don’t Overlook the Rubble

A widened, safer I‑70 can be a freight accelerator for Missouri and the surrounding states. That’s not a theory — that’s the bet being made. But:

It’s not guaranteed.

The gains are long-term, the pain is real short-term.

Truckers, planners, and businesses who plan ahead will benefit most.

If you’re in trucking or logistics — don’t wait until that third lane opens to pivot your operations. Get in early on planning.

CTA — Don’t Just Ride the Infrastructure Wave — Make Your Own One

Want to know how to protect your bottom line during mega-projects like this, or build a side income that’s not tied to gridlock or route changes?
Check out OffDutyMoney.com — where truckers learn to earn when the roads are rough or the projects slow you down.