MO’s Rest Areas Getting Trucked Up: Making Room for Big Rig Parking

According to a statement from Missouri Department of Transportation, two interstate rest areas in the state will close beginning March 16. These rest areas will remain closed until fall at which time they will reopen as truck parking only.

The locations:

• Southbound Platte County Interstate 20 in Dearborn
• Clinton County Interstate 35 in Lathrop

The $3.8 million project includes plans to remove the current rest areal buildings and install additional truck parking as well as vault toilets. Construction is expected to finish by late October.

Up to 35% of annual daily traffic on Missouri’s interstates are commercial vehicles according to an estimate from MoDOT. Currently, of the 141 sites near an interstate in the state, 87 are at or above capacity during peak hours and an additional 23 are between 80-100% full.

“When truckers can’t find parking off the road, they resort to parking on the interstate access ramps and this creates a safety hazard,” said Marty Liles, MoDOT northwest district engineer. “By converting the rest areas to truck parking, we’re able to help meet the needs of commercial vehicles while decreasing the costs associated in the renovation and upkeep of traditional rest areas.”

Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) serves travelers in the Show-Me State with a total of 45 stops across seven interstates. Its facilities include 7 welcome centers, 14 rest areas and 24 parking sites exclusive to commercial trucks.

Source: truckersnews