Springfield has long been a transportation hub. However, for some reason, the the city has never been home to any of the big national truck stop/travel center chains. That's all about to change with Flying J opening its new location off I-44 on West Chestnut Expressway.

"This has been an underdeveloped market for us for some time,' said Mike Payne, region manager for Pilot Flying J. "We have had a lot of people wanting us to come to town."

Pilot Flying J bills itself as the largest operator of travel centers in North America. Aside from the new Springfield location, it operates two centers in Joplin. It also has a Pilot store in Collins.

Workers are putting the last touches on the Springfield plaza, which includes services for semi drivers and everyone else. Amenities include a fueling center, convenience store and deli, Wendy's, Cinnabon and Auntie Anne's.

"I think everybody wants something different," said Chris Griffin, National Restaurant Operations Manager for Pilot-Flying J. "I think you can come in and have lunch with us or have dinner. And, even if you don't want lunch or dinner we also have our Auntie Anne's and our Cinnabon. Come in off the road, grab a snack, and go."

As you can imagine, running a big travel center like this takes a lot of employees. Flying J hired 95 new workers for its retail and restaurant sections.

"It has been a joy to hire people here. It is a great market with a lot of talent coming from the Springfield market here," said Payne.

This is the first new development on the recently-rebuilt Chestnut/I-44 interchange, which serves as the gateway into west Springfield and the airport.

"This is going to be a great location, it was an easy decision," Payne said. "Springfield is a great market for us."

Business leaders have long envisioned truck stops like this- along with restaurants and hotels. Time will tell when this area really starts to take off. But, this new development is a 'flying' start.

"We are just happy to be in Springfield, it has been a hiring environment. The teams are pumped up ready to go," said Payne.

Flying J says it will open to the public this coming Saturday, Aug. 27, at 9. A grand opening celebration is planned for Monday, Aug. 29. The facility will be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.