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Current and Upcoming SR 51 Closures and Restrictions

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Southbound SR 51 closed between Northern Avenue and Camelback Road/Highland Avenue this weekend (May 15-18)
NOTE: Uneven pavement surface is temporary and will be smoothed as project progresses; no SR 51 freeway closures planned May 22-25

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises Phoenix area drivers to plan for the following closure and nightly lane restrictions:

  • Southbound SR 51 will be CLOSED between Northern Avenue and Highland Avenue (south of Camelback Road) from 9 p.m. Friday, May 15, to 5 a.m. Monday, May 18. The following ramps also will be closed:
    • The southbound SR 51 on-ramps at 32nd and 26th streets

DETOUR: Drivers may consider taking westbound Northern Avenue to southbound 16th Street to eastbound Highland Avenue or Indian School Road to access SR 51 south of the closure. Expect heavy traffic and delays. Consider using southbound Interstate 17 as an alternate freeway route. 

Map showing the detour route for the southbound SR 51 closure planned between Northern and Highland avenues
Map showing the detour route for the southbound SR 51 closure planned between Northern and Highland avenues

NOTE: The currently uneven pavement conditions and asphalt remaining on SR 51 bridge decks are a temporary result of the required asphalt removal work completed the weekend of May 8-11. This is NOT the finished surface of the freeway. The remaining asphalt will be removed during upcoming bridge work. The freeway and ramps will be resurfaced to create a smooth driving surface using a treatment called diamond grinding. ADOT appreciates your patience as the project progresses over the next several months.

OVERNIGHT LANE RESTRICTIONS

  • REMINDER: Southbound SR 51 will continue to be narrowed to one lane between Glendale Avenue and Indian School Road nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., until Friday morning, May 15.
  • NEW: Southbound SR 51 will be narrowed to one or two lanes between Indian School and McDowell roads nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., starting Tuesday, May 19, and ending Friday morning, May 22.

UPCOMING CLOSURE

  • No SR 51 freeway closure planned Memorial Day Weekend (May 22-25).
  • Southbound SR 51 is scheduled to be CLOSED between Indian School Road and I-10 (at the “Mini-Stack Interchange”) from 9 p.m. Friday, May 29, to 5 a.m. Monday, June 1. 

ADOT advises drivers to use caution and be prepared to slow down and merge safely when approaching and traveling through all work zones.

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SR 51, I-10 to Shea Boulevard Pavement Rehabilitation

SR 51, I-10 to Shea Boulevard Pavement Rehabilitation

Contents

  1. Overview
  2. Project Elements
  3. Project Area Map
  4. Project Schedule
  5. What to Expect
  6. Project Fact Sheet
  7. Stay Informed

Overview

The Arizona Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Maricopa Association of Governments, is starting a pavement rehabilitation project along a 9.5-mile section of State Route 51, between Interstate 10 (Papago Freeway) and Shea Boulevard. The purpose of this project is to extend the life of the pavement and improve the driving experience and safety on the roadway.

The SR 51, I-10 to Shea Boulevard Pavement Rehabilitation project is included in the Regional Transportation Plan for Maricopa County and funded through Proposition 479, a countywide dedicated half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements approved by voters in 2024.

Project Elements

  • Removing the worn layer of rubberized asphalt
  • Repairing and diamond grinding the existing concrete pavement to create a smooth roadway surface
  • Repairing bridge decks and bridge joints
  • Repairing drainage and pavement under the SR 51 bridge at Camelback Road
  • Replacing lane striping and other pavement markings

Project Area Map

ADOT Map showing the SR 51 pavement rehabilitation project area between Interstate 10 and Shea Boulevard, highlighted in orange, with major cross streets and highways labeled. Map is not to scale.

Project Schedule

Construction began in March 2026, and is expected to take approximately six months to complete. This schedule is subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen factors.

What to Expect

  • Work will require lane restrictions and some full closures on SR 51, on- and off-ramps and cross streets, and will occur primarily during overnight hours and on weekends to minimize traffic impacts. The freeway will not be closed in both directions at the same time.
  • Access to businesses and residences will be maintained.
  • ADOT will provide advance notice of scheduled restrictions and closures to email subscribers and on the project web page.

Project Fact Sheet

ENGLISH
SPANISH
 

Stay Informed

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Subscribe to receive traffic alerts and project updates directly to your email.

  • Phone: ADOT Project Information Line: 855.712.8530
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Mail: ADOT Community Relations, 1655 W. Jackson St., RM 170, MD 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Contents

  1. Overview
  2. Project Elements
  3. Project Area Map
  4. Project Schedule
  5. What to Expect
  6. Project Fact Sheet
  7. Stay Informed