When Matt Roberds visited Joplin on December 12, 2012 for the dedication of Interstate 49 along the route of US 71 in western Missouri, he found that some of the work had been done early. For example, this marker for Range Line Road in Joplin showed Business Loop 49, the designation that replaced Business US 71.
While the Interstate 49 designation did not replace the US 71 designation on the main route, most business routes with the Business US 71 designation were redesignated Business Loop 49.
Photo courtesy of Matt Roberds