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SFPUC approves schedule, budget revisions and temporary funding shift for Calaveras Dam project
Summary
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission approved CEQA findings, contract modifications and a near‑term reallocation of reserves to keep the delayed Calaveras Dam replacement moving, citing an estimated $117 million in additional hard‑construction costs and a 25‑month delay to August 2018.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on an informational and action item Tuesday approved a set of measures intended to keep the Calaveras Dam replacement project moving after the discovery of unanticipated geologic conditions.
Julie Labonte, the program lead, told commissioners the staff recommendations included adopting CEQA Addendum 1 findings, approving project modifications related to disposal of additional material, approving revised project schedule and budget estimates and modifying the construction contract because impacts exceed 10 percent of original value and duration. "We are seeking your approval for the adoption of CEQA findings, in the Addendum 1 to the project EIR," Labonte said.
Why it matters: Staff is asking the commission to commit program funds and contract changes so work can continue while staff negotiates a final contractor change order. Labonte said the board was being asked to reallocate $170,000,000 from the program management reserve to the Calaveras project (subject to Finance Committee approval) and that consultants’ estimates identify roughly $117,000,000 in additional construction costs tied to differing site conditions encountered in mid‑2012. Staff also forecast the discovery would delay the project about 25 months, to August 2018.
Cost and schedule details: Labonte said the $117,000,000 figure covers projected additional hard construction costs but does not include the additional soft costs for 25 months of extended work or environmental mitigation; those figures will be presented after further negotiation with the contractor. "The 117 will allow us to move forward and keep the project moving, but we will need to seek additional approval from you in the next couple months to be able to complete the project," Labonte said.
Outside review and recommendations: Art Jensen, representing Bosco, said his team had reviewed program materials and offered recommendations on contingency restoration and schedule tradeoffs. Jensen asked the commission to require a clear tabular presentation of where the money would come from and how contingencies for other projects would be protected. Commissioner Moran moved to amend the resolution to include Bosco’s recommendations; after discussion and public comment the amendment and the main motion were approved by voice vote.
Procedure and next steps: If the commission’s actions stand, staff said it would issue a unilateral change order to allow work to continue while negotiating a final change order with the contractor and would seek the Finance Committee’s sign‑off on transfers from the program management reserve. Staff also said it would file any required change notices under the California Water Code and present a revised program schedule and budget in March or April.
The commission’s action does not adopt a final cost figure; Labonte and staff said additional approvals will be sought once negotiations and the program review are complete.
