Southbound I-17 to Close at Jomax Road for Weekend Pavement Improvements

Southbound I-17 in north Phoenix will be closed at Jomax Road from Friday night through Monday morning for pavement improvements.Photo byKevin BankstononUnsplash

PHOENIX – Southbound Interstate 17 at Jomax Road in north Phoenix will be closed this weekend for ongoing pavement improvements, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).

The closure is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, and will continue until 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 19.

During the closure, traffic will be redirected via the southbound I-17 off- and on-ramps at Jomax Road. In addition, southbound I-17 will be reduced to a single lane between Loop 303 and Jomax Road.

Drivers are advised to allow extra time for travel, consider driving during non-peak hours, and adhere to the designated detour route.

ADOT has noted that no closures are planned for I-17 in this area during the weekends of Aug. 23-26 or Aug. 30-Sept. 3.

For this weekend's closure, ADOT recommends that drivers follow the designated detour route, even if navigation apps suggest alternative paths. Attempting to detour on local streets is discouraged, as these roads are not equipped to handle large volumes of traffic.

To assist with traffic management, local-only closures will be implemented at neighborhood entrances near I-17, and law enforcement officers will be stationed at key intersections.

Significant traffic delays are expected during the closure. Drivers with plans to use southbound I-17 through the north Valley are encouraged to travel before the closure begins on Friday night.

Traffic is generally lighter during early morning and late-night hours but is anticipated to be particularly heavy on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

The current work is part of a project to improve a six-mile stretch of I-17 between Happy Valley Road and State Route 74. As the project continues, additional closures or lane restrictions will be necessary.

The project includes the removal of old, worn asphalt pavement, replacement of bridge deck joints, and the smoothing of the remaining concrete surface through a process known as diamond grinding.

This technique, which has been used on several Phoenix-area freeways, including I-10, I-17, Loop 101, and Loop 202, aims to create a smoother and more durable road surface, according to ADOT.