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Custom Alert placed in Alerts region

Southbound SR 51 closed from Northern Avenue to Camelback Road/Highland Avenue this weekend (Nov. 13-16)
Nightly SR 51 and McDowell Road lane restrictions scheduled Nov. 16-20; McDowell Road restrictions also planned Nov. 20-23

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

  • Southbound SR 51 will be CLOSED between Northern and Highland avenues (south of Camelback Road) from 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, to 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16. 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 before using 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

Overnight SR 51 Lane Restrictions

  • ONGOING: The following lane restrictions and ramp closure will continue to be in place nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday morning, Nov. 13:
    • Northbound SR 51 will be narrowed to one lane between Northern Avenue and Shea Boulevard.
    • The northbound SR 51 on-ramp at Shea Boulevard will be closed.
  • NEW: Northbound SR 51 will be narrowed to one lane between Northern Avenue and Shea Boulevard nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., starting Monday, Nov. 16, and ending Wednesday morning, Nov. 18.
  • NEW: Southbound SR 51 will be narrowed to one lane between Glendale Avenue and Indian School Road nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., starting Monday, Nov. 16, and ending Friday morning, Nov. 20.

McDowell Road Restrictions

  • McDowell Road is scheduled to be narrowed to two lanes in each direction at the SR 51 overpass nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., starting Monday Nov. 16, and ending Friday morning, Nov. 20, and again continuously from 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, to 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23.
    • NOTE: Right turns at the intersection will remain open, but all left turns (both onto and off of SR 51) will be prohibited due to the inside lane closures on McDowell Road. Drivers needing to make these left turns should use alternate routes, such as Thomas Road.

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

PROJECT UPDATES

  • The SR 51 pavement project has been expanded to include pavement repair work on McDowell, Thomas and Indian School roads beneath SR 51. This work will require crossroad lane restrictions and periodic freeway ramp closures through the end of 2026. Adding this work to the ongoing project allows ADOT to maximize construction efficiency and deliver broader safety and pavement improvements throughout the corridor. 
  • Drivers should also expect ongoing nightly lane restrictions on SR 51 for striping work through December 2026.
  • Please note, the current, uneven pavement conditions on SR 51 bridge decks are temporary and do NOT represent the finished freeway surface. Crews are making interim repairs to improve and maintain driving conditions until permanent improvements can be made. Due to seasonal temperature constraints, final resurfacing of the bridge decks will begin in January and is expected to require weekend closures through spring 2027.

ADOT appreciates your patience and understanding as crews continue work to deliver long-term safety and pavement improvements along the freeway over the next several months.