BajaNomad

Road to Gonzaga

BajaWaverunner - 11-12-2009 at 10:39 PM

Does anyone have an update on how many miles have been paved from Puertecitos? Last I heard was 6 miles but that was back in Jan.

David K - 11-13-2009 at 05:39 AM

Several (well at least two) Nomads have reported back that the pavement was 10 miles south (Cerro Prieto volcano area) of Puertecitos and crews are working the roadbed as far as El Huerfanito... then it is as rough as ever for the remaining 30 miles to Gonzaga Bay... that was as far back as Sept. 28.

I posted photos of the end of pavement at mile 10 for Wayno (b&bbait)...

Here are the photos south of Puertecitos taken in September: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=41683

Here is another report, posted on Oct. 22: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=42027




[Edited on 11-13-2009 by David K]

BajaBros - 12-6-2009 at 05:40 PM

As of my last trip to Gonzaga following the 2009 Baja 1000 the pavement is as much as 14 miles south of Puertocitos. They appear to be moving fast. I've heard rumor that the paved road is also coming into Gonzaga from Mex 1. Is this accurate? And if so, how far has the pavement come so far?

woody with a view - 12-6-2009 at 05:45 PM

5 weeks ago it was still dirt at the H1 junction. no evidence of anything happening.

David K - 12-7-2009 at 09:19 AM

The end of an era of 'semi'-isolation! It had to come (someday), just like the construction of Hwy. 1 in 1973 in the central desert from San Quintin to Santa Rosalia.

There was a time that bad roads went to the most beautiful places... Those bad roads where the filter To make it there was an accomplishment and it was appreciated by the few who got through.

Now with good roads going there, the one thing that may save places like Gonzaga Bay and the Seven Sisters from the people using the new good roads to those places, is the bad economy and border crossing fears that are keeping so many Norteamericanos from going to Baja...

Take photos folks... preserve the memory so the future knows what is was like and might try to keep it that way!

nomad 034.jpg - 48kB

BAJACAT - 12-7-2009 at 11:17 AM

i GOT MY SHARE OIF PIX AND YES IM GOING TO MISS THAT OLD(TERRIBLE) ROAD...

Pacifico - 12-7-2009 at 12:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody in ob
5 weeks ago it was still dirt at the H1 junction. no evidence of anything happening.


True....and a couple weeks ago it was still dirt at the junction and no sign of any construction equipment.

David K - 12-7-2009 at 03:55 PM

It seems that (unlike Highway One), they are building from the north only.

From 1970-1973 crews worked both direction, with the south crews working at an extremely faster rate than the crews in the north!

1970:
North: Pavement extended from just north of Colonet to Camalu.
South: Pavement extended from La Paz south to Cabo San Lucas and north to Constitucion.

1972:
North: Pavement reached San Quintin.
South: Pavement extended from Constitucion to Santa Rosalia... and began working up the mountain to San Ignacio.

July, 1973:
North: Pavement reached near Rancho Progreso (45 miles past El Rosario).
South: Pavement reached Villa Jesus Maria with sections paved way north to Punta Prieta.

August, 1973: Construction crews from the north and the south met at Rancho San Ignacito (7 miles south of Santa Ynez/ Cataviña)... a monument was erected. Pavement was completed during the next 3 months.

Dec. 1, 1973: The Transpenisular Highway 'Benito Juarez' was officially opened at the foot of the giant Eagle Monument at the 28º Parallel (near Guerrero Negro) by Presidente Luis Echeverria.

Bajahowodd - 12-7-2009 at 04:11 PM

Some call it progress, driven by an ever growing population. Think of places 30 years ago such as Cabo, or Mismaloya, or Puerto Moreles. As population grows, then demand for recreation, folks who are seeking seclusion will continually have to travel farther.

DianaT - 12-7-2009 at 04:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Some call it progress, driven by an ever growing population. Think of places 30 years ago such as Cabo, or Mismaloya, or Puerto Moreles. As population grows, then demand for recreation, folks who are seeking seclusion will continually have to travel farther.


Yes, but most of the locals see it as progress---a possible improvement to their economy and the dirt roads are really awful on their vehicles.

I used to think that it was terrible to pave roads like out to Bahia Asuncion until we moved there part time and got to know the locals----with very few exceptions, they all really want the pavement. Living there does change one's perspective.

Bajahowodd - 12-7-2009 at 04:29 PM

Good point, Diane. Two different priorities that intersect occasionally. Look at it this way. I am personally saddened by what is today, Cabo San Lucas. On the other hand, tens of thousands of people go there annually and have a great time. And thousands of locals make a living based upon that.

BajaWarrior - 12-7-2009 at 07:49 PM

I'm all for the road and won't miss the old road. Having a Beach House 75 miles north of Alphonsinas we would like to visit there more often and take the good truck for a change, and tow a boat or jet ski's in under two hours. And yes, it is good for the locals, good for their pocketbook and won't destroy their vehicles. There are still plenty of dirt roads in Baja, in fact this new highway will lead to many of them.

bkbend - 12-7-2009 at 10:01 PM

Not sure paving hwy1 destroyed CSL, I'd blame that one on the airport and easy access by the masses. I spent time there after paving and pre-jetport and it was still pretty nice.

David K - 12-8-2009 at 05:28 AM

Yah, I think most of the crowd that goes to Cabo for just 'Cabo', get there the same way they get to Cancun. Even the ferry from Cabo to Puerta Vallarta failed... did more to bring in trouble than take motoring tourists on to Mainland Mexico.