SR 51 closure, I-17 detours planned for weekend road work

PHOENIX — A major commuter route through central Phoenix and a north Phoenix freeway interchange will have restrictions this weekend for ongoing projects.

Southbound State Route 51 will close between Northern and Highland avenues from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for asphalt removal, according the Arizona Department of Transportation Weekend Freeway Travel Advisory for March 20-23.

🚧Before you hit the road this weekend, check this out:

Freeway improvement projects will require closures or lane restrictions on southbound State Route 51 and Eastbound Loop 303 ramp to southbound Interstate 17.

Details: https://t.co/TPT3lnQuIo pic.twitter.com/dkqeSw7rvp

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) March 19, 2026

The southbound SR 51 on-ramps at 32nd and 26th streets will also be closed during that time as part of a pavement improvement project.

Drivers heading to downtown Phoenix or Sky Harbor International Airport should consider taking southbound Interstate 17 as a detour, ADOT said.

Motorists on SR 51 who exit at or before Northern Avenue can head south on 16th Street but should expect delays. They can return to the freeway beyond the closure via Highland Avenue or Indian School Road.

Loop 303 and I-17 connector affected all weekend

Separately, the eastbound Loop 303 ramp to southbound I-17 in north Phoenix will close from 1 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday for work zone setup related to the Loop 303 widening project.

Southbound I-17 will be narrowed to two lanes between Dove Valley Road and Dixileta Drive during that time.

Drivers can detour using northbound 43rd Avenue and Dove Valley Road to reach southbound I-17.

Get the latest KTAR News 92.3 FM traffic alerts sent straight to your phone by texting “TRAFFIC” to 620620.

Related

Luke Days air show brings road closures to Glendale this weekendState Route 51 improvement project expected to disrupt Phoenix traffic until fallDelays expected on I-17 in north Phoenix as work starts on Loop 303 projectNew westbound Loop 101 lane opens between 51st and 75th avenuesArizona traffic deaths fall for third straight year, remain near record highsNorthbound SR 51 reopens following pavement improvement project