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Current and Upcoming SR 51 Closures and Restrictions

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UPDATE: Southbound SR 51 reopened following March 13-16 weekend closures
No restrictions in place after overnight work south of Shea Boulevard

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises Phoenix area drivers that southbound State Route 51 reopened to traffic between Cactus Road and Northern Avenue early Monday morning, March 16, following a weekend closure for the start of the pavement improvement project. 

Crews completed weekend work to remove a layer of older, worn asphalt along a section of southbound SR 51 south of Shea Boulevard. Anticipated right lane restrictions were not needed between 32nd Street and Northern Avenue. All on- and off-ramps in this stretch have reopened, including the southbound exit at Northern Avenue.

UPCOMING CLOSURES

  • Southbound SR 51 will be CLOSED between Northern Avenue and Camelback Road from 9 p.m. Friday, March 20, to 5 a.m. Monday, March 23. The following ramps also will be closed:
    • The southbound SR 51 on-ramps at Cactus Road, Shea Boulevard and 32nd and 26th streets.

DETOUR: Drivers may consider taking westbound Northern Avenue to southbound 16th Street and using eastbound Highland Avenue or Indian School Road to access SR 51 south of the closure.

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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 is scheduled to begin 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