BajaNomad

UPDATE FOR CONDITIONS ON THE TECATE/ENS ROAD

DENNIS - 10-4-2010 at 04:46 PM

Just received this from a Nomad bud:
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Most of the road this morning was actually considerablly smoother than previously, due I suppose to the rain on Wednesday of last week, and the persistent low ground fog... The worst section is the approach to Valle de Las Palmas, heading north, just before you get to town at the crest of the hill.

Some places are really tricky to navigate in the dark due to lack of orange stand up road markers, however, daylight hours should be fine.

Total elapsed time from Ensenada centro to the power switching station at the southern approaches to town Time was 1 hour 'n 45 mins, about 15 minutes quicker than 2 weeks ago.

The bad news: the Tecate wait time at 6 AM in Monday morning keeps getting longer and longer, with an increase noticable virtually every 2 weeks to 1 month.

This morning was a 1 hour 25 mins wait. A very long line all the way back up the main road coming in from Mexicali.

I saw a few short stretches that looked like they may actually have layed the bottom coat, (whatever that's called), the initial layer of material, but they appear to be a long way off from laying top coat anywhere. In fact most of the road is just torn up old asphalt and road debris material.

At this rate it will be finished when I am too old to travel it any more.

If they don't start making some significant headway soon and the weather turns rainy, portions of the road will become unpassable in anything other than a 4x4. The road will be hazarous for EVERYBODY regardless of the vehicle type.

David K - 10-4-2010 at 05:01 PM

When there is such an excellent alternative that will take less time, with no dirt detours, why is anyone who shares travel details still using Hwy. 3?

Thanks for passing his notes to us Dennis.

For newbies to this discussion:
Southbound, Otay Border to Corredor 2000 to Mex. 1 to Ensenada. Nothbound, Hwy. 1 to Corredor 2000 to Mex. 2 to Tecate.



[Edited on 10-5-2010 by David K]

DianaT - 10-4-2010 at 05:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
When there is such an excellent alternative that will take less time, with no dirt detours, why is anyone who shares travel details still using Hwy. 3?


Because we still prefer to go that way---we just do----enjoy that trip. Did the other way you like once, and even with all the work, still prefer Hwy. 3

[Edited on 10-5-2010 by DianaT]

rts551 - 10-4-2010 at 05:30 PM

depends on where your coming from. not everyone lives in Kalifornia. I tried the "alternative" once and found it longer despite the construction.

DENNIS - 10-4-2010 at 07:12 PM

Some people, for whatever reason, just don't like 2000.

BornFisher - 10-4-2010 at 09:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Some people, for whatever reason, just don't like 2000.


Yeah, what is up with that? Nostalgic memories or something? Seems very practical to just go to San Ysidro now until the road work is done. Simple!!

Phil S - 10-5-2010 at 05:35 AM

What is Hwy 2 like out of Tecate to La florido. ????? Can't remember if anyone has talked about it.

David K - 10-5-2010 at 08:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Phil S
What is Hwy 2 like out of Tecate to La florido. ????? Can't remember if anyone has talked about it.


Yes, I did.. in my trip report 2-3 weeks ago.

It is a four lane highway... just a couple of signals after you exit the Corredor 2000.... then 4 lanes and fast all the way into downtown Tecate. I posted photos of the signs on it, leading you to the U.S. Tecate border. The Toyota Tacoma factory is about midway between El Florido and Tecate.:cool:

SoCal-Bob - 10-19-2010 at 05:30 PM

Received this report from some friends who live in Col. V. Guerrero who just traveled the road this past Monday.
Quote:
We had to be in Mexicali on Monday morning, so we crossed back to Mexico there. Just so you know, the hwy 2 road between Tecate and Ensenada has major road repairs south of Tecate, much worse and longer than the construction south of Maneadero. It was nasty.