Ferguson Slide Rockshed CMGC
March 18, 2015
Located on State Route 140 in Mariposa County, the Ferguson Rock Slide Project addresses a critical section of highway that was buried under approximately 798,000 tons of rock and debris following a massive slide in April 2006. This segment, stretching from eight miles east of Briceburg to 7.6 miles west of El Portal, once served as a vital two-lane route into Yosemite National Park.
This $110 million project is a landmark effort, marking the first Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) project in California to enter construction and only the second rock shed ever built in the state. The CM/GC delivery method fosters collaboration between Caltrans, designers, and contractors, streamlining planning, design, and construction to improve efficiency and outcomes.
The project’s construction management phase lasted approximately 450 working days, followed by a general contracting phase of about 600 working days. To meet schedule requirements, construction progressed at a pace of $3.125 million per month over 32 months. In compliance with California State Assembly Bill 1973, construction was mandated to begin no later than January 2016 due to environmental regulations.
The success of this project depends on precise coordination, environmental stewardship, and innovative engineering solutions to restore this essential transportation corridor while preserving the surrounding natural environment.
