There are several contractors busy working to complete projects and get out of the way before the Saguaro Boulevard reconstruction work begins in a couple of weeks.

Last week crews were working on a sewer line connection at Saguaro and Malta Drive. The work will provide a sewer connection to a lot on Malta at Saguaro slated for future development.

Southwest Gas had a crew working on Palisades Boulevard west of the intersection with Saguaro. That work is to make adjustments to the gas line to allow for drainage work in the intersection.

SRP will be seeking to accomplish a similar goal by relocating power lines that are under the Palisades and Saguaro intersection.

That work had not begun as of late last week, but is expected to create a significant obstacle for motorists in the area.

Development Services Director Paul Mood said Cox cable also has some work to do in Saguaro Boulevard before the reconstruction.

The goal is to have repairs made or new equipment installed before the new pavement goes down, so there will be no need to dig into the new asphalt for some time.

Mood said Nesbitt Contracting is planning to begin the Saguaro project as of Feb. 2, at the south end of the work area in the area of Trevino and Monterey drives.

Mood said the tentative plan calls for the northbound lanes to be closed initially as far as Kingstree Boulevard. All traffic will be moving in the southbound lanes.

The scope of the project extends from Shea to Fountain Hills boulevards with four locations with major drainage improvements including the Palisades intersection.

Another separate project planned during the Saguaro work is the expansion of drainage culverts under Saguaro at Ashbrook Wash. This project is being managed by the Maricopa County Flood Control District.

There will also be new traffic signals installed at the Palisades/Panorama intersection of Saguaro.

Nesbitt is also the contractor for the work currently being done on Shea Boulevard, which includes improvements at the Saguaro intersection to the north between Trevino and Monterey.

The construction timeline for the Saguaro project extends through October this year. The Shea work is scheduled to be completed by the end of June.