Current and Upcoming SR 51 Closures and Restrictions

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Northbound SR 51 closure and southbound lane restrictions planned this weekend (Aug. 28-31)

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

Northbound SR 51 will be CLOSED from Indian School Road to Colter Street (north of Camelback Road) from 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, to 12 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30. The following ramps also will be CLOSED:
- The northbound SR 51 on-ramps at McDowell and Thomas roads
- The northbound SR 51 off-ramp at Highland Avenue
- DETOUR: Drivers may consider taking westbound Indian School Road to northbound 16th Street to eastbound Colter Street, or eastbound Indian School Road to northbound 24th Street to westbound Glendale Avenue to access SR 51 north of the closure.
- NOTE: Following this weekend’s closure, traffic at Camelback Road will be shifted to the right two lanes. Northbound SR 51 will remain narrowed to two lanes from Highland Avenue to Camelback Road through September.

Map showing the detour route for the northbound SR 51 closure planned between Indian School Road and Colter Street. — *Map showing the detour route for the northbound SR 51 closure planned between Indian School Road and Colter Street*

Southbound SR 51 will be narrowed to two lanes from Northern Avenue to Bethany Home Road from 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 31. The following ramps will be CLOSED at this time:
- The southbound SR 51 on-ramps at Northern and Glendale avenues and Bethany Home Road

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

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.

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SR 51, I-10 to Shea Boulevard Pavement Rehabilitation

Overview
Project Elements
Project Area Map
Project Schedule
What to Expect
Project Fact Sheet
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 end in late fall 2026. 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

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