ADOT Begins Major Repaving of Phoenix's SR-51 Freeway

Weekend closures required for months-long project to smooth out one of the Valley's busiest commuter routes

Mar. 14, 2026 at 10:55pm

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The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has launched a major repaving project on State Route 51 in Phoenix, requiring several weekend closures over the coming months. ABC15 reporter Adam Klepp went behind the scenes to show the work involved in shutting down and rebuilding nearly 10 miles of the busy freeway.

Why it matters

The SR-51 is one of the Phoenix metro area's most heavily trafficked commuter routes, so the repaving project is crucial to providing Valley drivers with a smoother and safer driving experience. However, the weekend closures will cause significant disruptions for local residents and businesses during the months-long construction.

The details

Crews are scraping away layers of old asphalt and repairing the concrete beneath the freeway as part of the repaving effort. The project will cover nearly 10 miles of the SR-51, which is a major north-south artery through central Phoenix.

  • The first weekend closure took place on March 12-13, 2026.
  • ADOT says additional weekend closures will be required in the months ahead to complete the repaving work.

The players

Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)

The state agency responsible for maintaining and improving Arizona's transportation infrastructure, including the SR-51 freeway in Phoenix.

Adam Klepp

A reporter for ABC15 news in Phoenix who went behind the scenes to document the SR-51 repaving project.

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What’s next

ADOT has not provided specific details on future weekend closures, but the agency says additional shutdowns will be required over the coming months to complete the full repaving project.

The takeaway

The SR-51 repaving project is a necessary investment to improve one of Phoenix's busiest commuter routes, but the ongoing weekend closures will create significant traffic disruptions for local residents and businesses until the work is finished.