For those planning to navigate Phoenix this weekend, be advised that a stretch of the northbound State Route 51 will be closed off to traffic. Starting at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, September 20, through Saturday, September 21. The Piestewa Freeway will be receiving some maintenance love from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) as crews apply a fresh layer of pavement sealant.
Travelers who would take the northbound SR 51 should note the closure extends between the Interstate 10 "Mini-Stack" interchange and Loop 101 (Pima Freeway), meaning diversions will be necessary. Driving westbound on I-10 to access the northbound I-17 is suggested as the prime alternative for those looking to connect to the eastbound Loop 101, as per information provided by ADOT.
As the work progresses throughout Saturday, lanes are set to reopen in phases. Motorists can expect sections to become accessible again once the pavement sealant has dried and new markings are proudly adorning the freeway. The job is expected to come to a close by 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, although patience may be tested if one finds themselves on the wrong side of these temporary restrictions. Next weekend, starting September 27, southbound lanes will also undergo the sealing ritual.
Those with an interest in the minute-to-minute upheavals of the road can fetch real-time updates from ADOT's Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov or through the AZ511 app, available for free on Apple and Android devices. Social media enthusiasts may instead choose to stroll through the posts on X of @ArizonaDOT for the latest highway conditions, ensuring their journey is not hobbled by the unexpected.
