Parts of I-17 in north Phoenix, Anthem to be closed as pavement project begins

Work crews will install a closure on the southbound Interstate 17 in the north Phoenix and Anthem areas this weekend as a pavement improvement project begins, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Officials said the project, located between State Route 74 and Happy Valley Road, will require several closures and weeknight lane restrictions as the project progresses during the coming months.

The area to be closed starting this weekend is on southbound I-17, between SR 74/Carefree Highway and Loop 303, from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Southbound on-ramps also will be closed at Daisy Mountain Drive and Pioneer Road.

To avoid the area, ADOT suggests motorists go west on SR 74 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and eastbound Loop 303 to access I-17.

More information is coming about future closures along both directions of I-17 north of Happy Valley Road, ADOT officials said.

Work crews on the I-17 project will be removing a top layer of older, worn asphalt pavement before working to smooth the remaining concrete surface through a process called diamond grinding, which has been used on a number of Phoenix-area freeways.

The I-17 pavement work between SR 74 and Happy Valley Road is separate from the I-17 improvement project underway north of Anthem Way, ADOT officials said. Real-time highway conditions are available at az511.gov, the az511 app or by calling 511.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Parts of I-17 in Phoenix, Anthem to close as pavement project begins