The future of Waterloo Road at Interstate 35 has again drawn attention from Logan County residents, as new businesses continue to move into the growing The Landing development just west of the interstate.
Waterloo Road serves as the dividing line between Logan and Oklahoma counties, with westbound traffic under Logan County’s jurisdiction and eastbound lanes under Oklahoma County’s control.
Current businesses in the area include Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Braum’s, Starbucks, and a car wash. Soon, the list will grow to include 7-Eleven, McDonald’s, Xpress Wellness, Tractor Supply, Waffle House, Warren Cat, and Gerber Collision, with additional businesses and housing expected later.
In 2021, public records showed that Waterloo 35 Investments purchased the property from Cambridge Healthcare Properties in 2017 for $4.7 million. Water rights for the land were secured in 2019. Waterloo 35 Investments comprises multiple developers who have continued to expand the site.
With the increased growth, traffic congestion has become a daily challenge, particularly during morning and evening commutes. Despite the installation of one traffic signal, long backups continue to be common.
To address the growing traffic volume, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has selected a diverging diamond interchange design for the upcoming reconstruction. The project is designed to allow thru traffic to remain in the same lane as it passes under I-35, guided by a series of traffic signals to manage the flow of vehicles.
This layout, which divides traffic into two one-way roadways, is intended to make turning movements—especially left turns—safer by removing the need to cross in front of oncoming vehicles. According to ODOT officials, the key to the design’s safety is its coordinated signal system, which will guide drivers as they cross to the left side of the road before passing under the interstate and then back to their normal lanes.
Construction on the project is scheduled to begin in March 2026.
However, the project’s history between the two counties and ODOT has been complicated.
According to information shared by District 1 County Commissioner Mark Sharpton, the project was terminated in 2021 by ODOT after communication issues between the agency and Logan County officials at the time. Sharpton said the termination was not publicly disclosed or reported to the Logan County Board of County Commissioners.
“This termination was neither reported to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) at the time nor conveyed to the public or to current BOCC members,” Sharpton said. “Logan County was not a member of the Circuit Engineering District in 2021.”
The issue came to light earlier this year when the Board met with Circuit Engineering District 5 to update its five-year County Improvements for Roads and Bridges (CIRB) plan. During that meeting, officials learned that previously allocated—but unreceived—funding (approximately 3 million dollars) had been removed from the plan.
Research by the CED 5 manager revealed letters from ODOT in 2021 seeking confirmation from both Logan and Oklahoma County about their commitment to the interchange project. Documentation shows that Logan County responded, while Oklahoma County did not, prompting ODOT to terminate the project agreement on August 11, 2021.
Sharpton stated, the Logan County Commission chairman was the sole point of contact with ODOT and managed the CIRB plan on behalf of the county. Sharpton added that the lack of public disclosure about the project’s termination was either intentional or negligent.
Since discovering the issue, Sharpton has met with both ODOT and Oklahoma County representatives. He said both counties now agree that the interchange project is critically needed.
Sharpton said efforts are underway to explore ways to revive the plan to widen Waterloo Road from Sooner Road to Pine (Air Depot) Road, to connect the county’s portion to ODOT’s planned diverging diamond interchange at I-35.
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