Editing Interstate 72 (section)

== Future ==
Plans exist to extend I-72 westward from its current terminus in [[Hannibal, Missouri|Hannibal]] to [[St. Joseph, Missouri]] along the existing [[U.S. Route 36 in Missouri|US 36]], but the proposal was shelved for years despite most of the route being a part of the [[Chicago–Kansas City Expressway]]. In May 2023, Missouri lawmakers approved a $2.5 million study on the conversion of US 36 into I-72.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Reggie |title=State lawmakers approve $2.5M study on new Missouri interstate |url=https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/state-lawmakers-approve-2-5m-study-on-new-missouri-interstate/ |access-date=27 June 2023 |work=FOX 2 |date=24 May 2023}}</ref> The extension of I-72 is seen as a way to relieve the pressure off of [[Interstate 70 in Missouri|I-70]] as well as reduce truck traffic in [[St. Louis]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Erickson |first1=Kurt |title=Missouri could be poised to gain another interstate highway |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/missouri-could-be-poised-to-gain-another-interstate-highway/article_89373b7a-f987-11ed-985d-6be7252aa846.html |access-date=27 June 2023 |work=STLtoday.com |date=23 May 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Morabith |first1=Anthony |title=Chillicothe Senator skeptical about possibly converting U.S. Highway 36 into Interstate 72 |url=https://www.missourinet.com/2023/06/08/chillicothe-senator-skeptical-about-possibly-converting-u-s-highway-36-into-interstate-72/ |access-date=27 June 2023 |work=Missourinet |date=8 June 2023}}</ref> However, in July 2023, the bill was vetoed by Governor [[Mike Parson]] who said that it was not the right time to run the study.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Griffin |first1=Marshall |title=Gov. Parson explains why he vetoed an I-72 study |url=https://www.missourinet.com/2023/07/31/gov-parson-explains-his-i-72-veto/ |access-date=21 August 2023 |work=Missourinet |date=31 July 2023}}</ref> The extension to I-29 is listed under High Priority Corridor 61B, although part of it was for the CKC and not I-72.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Statutory Listing of Corridor Descriptions - High Priority Corridors - National Highway System - Planning - FHWA |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/high_priority_corridors/hpcor.cfm |access-date=January 4, 2022 |website=[[Federal Highway Administration|Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)]]}}</ref>