PHOENIX – Work on the Interstate 17 pavement project in north Phoenix has been completed, ending a year of restrictions along the freeway between Happy Valley Road and State Route 74.

Crews have installed the final lane stripes on a new surface that state transportation officials said provides a smoother ride.

After crews removed the old top layer of asphalt last year, the project used diamond grinding to improve the base concrete pavement, according to a release from the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Crews also replaced older steel bridge deck joints between elevated sections of the freeway.

ADOT expects to start an I-17 resurfacing project between SR 74 and Anthem Way by this summer. Full freeway closures are not anticipated for the asphalt resurfacing project. Most work is planned using lane restrictions during overnight hours, officials said.