The Arizona Department of Transportation announced on May 7 that several freeway closures and lane restrictions are scheduled in the Phoenix area from May 8 to May 11. These changes are part of ongoing improvement projects, and drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use detour routes as needed.
According to the department, northbound State Route 51 will be closed between Northern Avenue and Cactus Road from Friday night until Monday morning for pavement improvements. The closure includes on-ramps at Colter Street, Bethany Home Road, and Glendale Avenue. Drivers are encouraged to use northbound Interstate 17 or surface streets such as Seventh Street or Cave Creek Road as alternate routes.
Southbound Interstate 17 will be closed between Loop 101 and Thunderbird Road from Friday night until early Sunday for overhead sign replacement. On-ramps at Deer Valley Road and Rose Garden Lane will also be closed during this period. Detours include using southbound Seventh Avenue or 51st Avenue, with additional options via eastbound Loop 101 to southbound State Route 51. Additionally, both directions of Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) will be narrowed to two lanes between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive through Monday morning due to pavement work. Northbound I-17 will also see a lane reduction near downtown Phoenix late Friday into Saturday afternoon.
Restriction schedules may change because of weather or other factors. The Arizona Department of Transportation plans new freeways, additional lanes, and other improvements in the region as part of the Regional Transportation Plan for Maricopa County. Most current projects receive funding from Proposition 400—a dedicated sales tax approved by county voters in 2004—and future projects have secured support with Proposition 479’s passage in November last year.
Arizona Department of Transportation manages facilities such as rest areas, snowplow operations with specialized equipment, highway cameras for monitoring traffic conditions, traveler updates via AZ511.gov, motor vehicle services, construction oversight, infrastructure enhancements at airports and ports across multiple districts statewide—including sites like Grand Canyon National Airport—according to the official website. Jennifer Toth serves as director overseeing planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of state transportation systems; she works alongside regional partners on corridor studies and traveler information systems.
