Caltrans to Begin Debris Slide Removal Work

Long-Term Full Closure of State Route 140 Update
Caltrans to Begin Debris Slide Removal Work

Mariposa County – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has issued a long-term full closure of State Route 140 (SR-140) near Briceburg in Mariposa County as the result of a debris slide event.

At approximately 10:00 p.m. on Monday, March 17, 2025, a debris slide occurred along SR-140 across both lanes resulting in an immediate full closure of the highway. Together with Mariposa CHP, Caltrans established road closures just west of the slide in Briceburg and to the east of the slide at the Yosemite Cedar Lodge which have remained in place this week.

Caltrans has continued work to address the rockslide on SR-140 with a team of Geotechnical experts carefully assessing the area this week. The team of experts are using 3D drone mapping and other tools to study the rockface and ensure any loose material is removed safely as possible and assess any further vulnerabilities.

Caltrans priority is the safety of the traveling public, as well as our crews, and the contractor who are all working diligently to restore the roadway as safely as possible. Once Caltrans Geotechnical experts have completed their work and deemed the area safe, the contractor will begin expeditiously removing the debris from the site and repairing the roadway in the anticipation of having one-way traffic operations in place before the end of the month.

Caltrans will continue providing real-time updates via our social media accounts, news releases, and through our Caltrans QuickMap app for mobile devices. Motorists will be provided closure updates with use of overhead changeable message signs (CMS) along State Routes, in addition to weekly traffic advisories.

Caltrans is asking motorists to avoid this stretch of highway until the needed repairs are finished, to exercise patience, and seek alternative detour routes along SR-41 and SR-120 into Yosemite National Park. Caltrans top priority in this situation is the safety for the traveling public, our partner agencies, staff, and the contractor performing the debris removal and highway repairs.

This work is subject to change due to weather, availability of equipment, materials, and or construction-related issues. Caltrans reminds motorists to #KnowBeforeYouGo by checking quickmap.dot.ca.gov by checking or Caltrans QuickMap app on mobile devices for real-time highway conditions prior to travel.