PHOENIX – Southbound Interstate 17 in north Phoenix is scheduled to be closed Jan. 17-20 as the Arizona Department of Transportation starts a final series of weekend work for pavement improvements south of State Route 74/Carefree Highway.

A primary detour route will be in place west of I-17, state transportation officials said, emphasizing drivers should avoid using local streets east of I-17 that are not designed to handle freeway traffic.

Specifically, southbound I-17 will be closed between SR 74/Carefree Highway and Loop 303 from 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20. Southbound I-17 on-ramps at Daisy Mountain Drive and Pioneer Road also will be closed.

Southbound I-17 traffic will detour on westbound SR 74 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and use eastbound Loop 303 to return to I-17, according to ADOT.

Approximately three other I-17 weekend closures are anticipated, including two northbound, as crews work to finish the project that began late last spring.

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