I-44 & 70 truck lanes anyone? (Kansas City, Springfield: sales, house, buy)

[sunshine girl]

Any thoughts out there on the proposed truck lanes in Missouri? On the surface it sounded good, a separation of big rigs and cars. Except for the one percent across the board sales tax for 10 years (yeah, right). I'm suspicious and cautious by nature, so I've been trying to be a bit better informed on the subject before committing to which side of the fence I'm on. In reading an article by a journalist from Columbia, MO I found a reference to those in power specifically wanting to expand I-44 from Joplin to St Louis with the express purpose of connecting with the Texas corridor for that NAFTA superhighway planned for our future. Seems a bit of a slap in the face to have our citizens pay for this to me. Says it will take 9 years to build. Senator introducing this says he doesn't want a toll road for fear of scaring away trucking through the state. Umm, I might be new here, but it seems to me the only way a truck can go across is either I-44 or I-70. Do they expect us to believe they would really go around the state to not pay tolls. I'm having a little trouble here with this, and am looking for other views. It seems kinda scary to me.

[Bird_Watcher]

I'm not too informed on the topic but I would like to add after having lived in a few different states from Cali to Ohio including Missouri I will say that 44 is terrible with truck traffic. Not to mention the busiest truck traffic I have seen for a two lane highway. And a majority of it is due to no tolls.
I'm suprised it had not been expanded years ago.
No offense to truck drivers but there were not too many that would follow the speed limit. On a two lane hwy doing 75+ is a bit nerve racking when you see an 18 wheeler bearing down.
The other thing I noticed was there was hardly, if any, State Patrol on 44 at least between Ft. Leonard Wood and Rolla. Truckers know this and take advantage of that fact. I think there are a few things that can be done to improve the current situation. No one likes speed traps...but then again I don't like someone speeding taking my life into their hands....I digress.

Unlike the state I am currently in OHIO....otherwise know as Our Hand Is Out......you can't drive more than a mile on 90/480or 71 w/o a State Patrol checking speed.
Just my take on the matter...

[MoMark]

I'm not aware of the plan myself. But I agree with Bird Watcher, driving on I-44 can be scary with the truckers as they often take both lanes.
As for the NAFTA superhighway, I've seen the proposed or supposed routes and they don't go through Springfield, they go up through Oklahoma City and then enter Missouri near Kansas City going north to Des Moines.
But, there is an effort by House Republicans to stop the whole NAFTA superhighway and North American Union stealth planning by the Executive Branch and make Congress involved and overseer since so far the President has been working on this behind the scenes and without oversight from Congress. It looks like they are finally waking up.

[sunshine girl]

Did you miss the part about an increase in state tax? That means upping it on everything you buy that is taxed. That would put our state tax over 7%. I also find it hard to believe that it would be ended after this "improvement" is over. Costs today will not be simply locked in for the duration of construction. It always goes over budget it seems. I'm still in shock over having to pay personal property tax on vehicles, boats, and livestock here. And I am aware of the plan of going through KC, this one includes a shortcut along I-44 for those who do not need to access the proposed hub in KC. And I'm sure scare tactics and horrific accident pictures will go along with this campaign to get the public vote. I dunno. It just seems a bit sneaky somehow, it just doesn't feel right. To increase the overall state tax is a big step. That brings in billions. Hope my gut is wrong on this one......

[Trucker lady]

Yes I have been on the highways everywhere and Big rigs take up a lot of space on the roads. I have been in situations as a driver of one of the rigs that would scare anyone....what I'm trying to say is that it's everyones responsibility to be safe out there. There is alot of traffic on I-44 because its a main road passing thru the state. Interstates were originally built for trucking! The everyday 4 wheeler has decided that its the fastest way to get from point a to point b. We (truckers) need our own highway so we can get everyones goods to them in a fast and safe amount of time. We are the ones that make sure you get yours and everyones STUFF in a reasonable amount of time. 4 wheelers like to go fast and I have had to slam the brakes alot...people need to take the initiate to slow down and I'm not talking just about big rigs but 4 wheelers too.

There needs to be more education to 4 wheelers that we are big and heavy and they need to give more space to us and not to drive like they are invincible and the only ones on the road....Share the road is our motto and remember it was built for the truckers (interstates)