Contractors have begun work this week on a flood control and drainage improvement project in Ashbrook Wash.

As a result, Bayfield Drive has been closed between Hamilton and Ashbrook drives.

The closure was effective Monday, Nov. 30, and will continue to April 1, 2016.

The project includes the construction of concrete box culverts where Bayfield crosses Ashbrook Wash.

Additionally, another phase of the project will include the construction of box culverts at Saguaro Boulevard and Ashbrook Wash.

That work at Saguaro is currently scheduled to begin on Monday, Dec. 7, according to town Street Supervisor Justin Weldy.

Work on Saguaro will begin on the west side (southbound lanes), with traffic restricted to one lane in each direction in the northbound lanes.

The Flood Control District of Maricopa County and the Town of Fountain Hills are partnering on the project to make drainage improvements in Ashbrook Wash between Bayfield Drive and Del Cambre Avenue.

A third component of the project is the removal of numerous palm trees growing in the wash, which inhibits storm water flow. That work is also beginning this week in the wash.

Besides the replacement of the two culvert crossings (at Bayfield Drive and Saguaro Boulevard), the additional work will include cleaning and channelizing Ashbrook Wash as necessary to ensure it can safely convey flood flows.

Once completed, properties adjacent to the wash between Bayfield Drive and Del Cambre Avenue will have protection from flooding caused by 100-year flow events through the wash, or flows that have a 1 percent chance of occurring in any given year.