Drivers who use southbound Interstate 17 in the north Phoenix and Anthem areas should plan for a closure of the freeway this weekend as a pavement improvement project begins in the area, state transportation officials said Monday.

The I-17 pavement project between State Route 74 and Happy Valley Road will require several closures and weeknight lane restrictions in the coming months.

The first closure will require southbound I-17 to be closed between SR 74/Carefree Highway and Loop 303 from 10 p.m. Friday, May 10, to 5 a.m. Monday, May 13, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Southbound I-17 on-ramps at Daisy Mountain Drive and Pioneer Road also will be closed. 

The primary detour for this weekend’s closure of southbound I-17 will require drivers to travel west on SR 74 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and eastbound Loop 303 to access I-17, ADOT officials said.

ADOT will provide additional information later this week about future closures along either north- or southbound I-17 in areas north of Happy Valley Road. 

Crews on the I-17 project will initially remove a top layer of older, worn asphalt pavement before advancing to work to smooth the remaining concrete surface through a process called diamond grinding, according to an ADOT release.

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.