BajaNomad

Reliable new highway news

mcfez - 10-25-2010 at 10:46 AM

While staying at Bahia Christina last week...waiting for the 40 + consent winds to die off (never did!).....here's what I got from the Cantina located there.

The Cantina has been leased out to a catering company to serve meals (taken to location) for the road construction site(s) and to serve the men there at the restaurant. Having said that....

Last week there is a crew sitting at the table. A well dressed crew. Engineers! Had the blueprints on the table...obviously talking shop. I asked one of the guys near our camp (he speaks fluent Spanish)...to ask them some questions concerning the new highway.

The strip under construction near isle el huerfanito ...is to be opened within two weeks.

The section to Gonzaga Bay is to be completed in mid Spring.

The highway completion to Mex1 will be done by 2012.

There are no current construction delays.


From my own sightings....

Impressive guard rails along the highway where truly needed.

New driveways being installed for many camps...using the old entrances (many complaints from owners that the "new" entrances were improper for them). Dirt fill is being used. Compacted by roller.

Camp signs going up! Didn't expect to see this happen. Looks like a highway in California now!

Concrete pillars marking ravines and dangerous off road areas...painted white for night time driving,

[Edited on 10-25-2010 by mcfez]

Von - 10-25-2010 at 11:01 AM

DAM! and WOW! I wonder if the real estate market in Gonzaga will go up in value or go down in Value?

shari - 10-25-2010 at 11:49 AM

a teeny update from our highway crews...the first "pasta" is laid all the way into town now...the black ribbon cutting through the desert looks kinda weird!!! Another company comes in to do the final surface pavement....to be done in 2 weeks too.

mcfez - 10-25-2010 at 11:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Von
DAM! and WOW! I wonder if the real estate market in Gonzaga will go up in value or go down in Value?


Up.
And here's why:

From a story I heard from Camp Puertocitos .....the current owner. She's a smart woman!

"In the old days when the Pacific side was unpaved.....it was shorter to take the Sea of Cortez side. Pavement went in on the Pacific.....and all truck traffic went that route. Now....when the pending highway....being paved all the way...trucks will roll back to Cortez...saving hours of driving. Makes a lot of sense to me

Riom - 10-25-2010 at 02:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Now....when the pending highway....being paved all the way...trucks will roll back to Cortez...saving hours of driving. Makes a lot of sense to me


That's one of the downsides of it being paved, a lot more traffic Mexicali-San Felipe, and a lot of heavy truck traffic through San Felipe.

There are two separate rumors on where the "San Felipe Bypass" will eventually run. One is from north of El Dorado, running right around the back of El Dorado then across the desert towards the airport.

I think the more credible one is going straight at the curve just before the arches then round the back of town, much closer in.

Both are merely rumors!

Rob

David K - 10-25-2010 at 02:31 PM

mcfez, did you ask or hear anything about the archeological site discovered that caused the delay near El Huerfanito?

mcfez - 10-25-2010 at 02:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
mcfez, did you ask or hear anything about the archeological site discovered that caused the delay near El Huerfanito?


We asked a general question and got back what I reported. I felt that they were a little annoyed that we interrupted their table talk....but they were very nice fellows.

The archeological site is most likely where I buried my Mother in Law a few years back :-)

road.jpg - 49kB

David K - 10-25-2010 at 02:56 PM

Funny answer!

Nice photo of the parking viewspot for El Huerfanito island!

Been going south of Puertecitos since I was 7 years old (1965) and seeing a modern highway there is quite a event!

Phil S - 10-25-2010 at 03:26 PM

Holy cow! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! I can't wait for this to be finished Drove it once years ago in my pickup. Was a "one time" event. However. I don't think we'll ever go any other way to Loreto & points further south.

Von - 10-25-2010 at 03:46 PM

So if i live right off the 15 freeway in sandiego next to the 8. would it be faster to get down to BOLA through the new road or just take the same old hwy 1 ?

Brian L - 10-25-2010 at 03:46 PM

I wish there was a decent map of it to compare distances. I did a quick ruler guess with Google and got about 340 miles compared to 280 miles. That is from Tijuana to where it will meet the Hwy 1.

That could be a quicker route than through Ensenda and south...???

Bajahowodd - 10-25-2010 at 03:57 PM

Think about the difference in traffic. It's really slow going through Ensenada. Then, there are the mountains where, almost without fail I get caught behind some trucks. After that, the traffic from just about Colonet, until after Los Pinos can be a major aggravation. Multiple towns, slow buses, traffic lights. So, mileage alone is not the key issue. Better to figure it by time. How long does it take to get from San Diego proper to the gate going in to Mexicali? After that, with the exception of San Felipe itself, traffic and other obstacles are way less than Mex1.

David K - 10-25-2010 at 04:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by blane
I wish there was a decent map of it to compare distances. I did a quick ruler guess with Google and got about 340 miles compared to 280 miles. That is from Tijuana to where it will meet the Hwy 1.

That could be a quicker route than through Ensenda and south...???


This morning, Cortez Blue had asked to compare the two routes, but from San Felipe... here was my answer:

San Felipe to Mulege... via all paved roads?

Now, means you drive the 152 miles to Ensenada then south 550 miles, for a total of 702 miles... driving time ~14 hours.

Future, via Gonzaga Bay: San Felipe to Laguna Chapala is 136 miles plus Laguna Chapala to Mulege= 287 miles for a total of 423 miles or ~9 hours driving average time.

Today via Ensenada is 702 miles/14 hour VS. Future via Gonzaga Bay at 423 miles or ~9 hours.

A difference of 279 miles and 5 hours.

The overall peninsula map:



Avoiding the Ensenada and San Quintin valley traffic would be a reason to use Hwy. 5 when it is done, otherwise from San Diego, Hwy. 1 is shorter to points south of Gonzaga. However, anyone who is closer to Mexicali than Tijuana and is heading south of Gonzaga... Hwy. 5 will be the choice' as it will for the Mexican truckers going from the mainland to Baja Sur!

bajalou - 10-25-2010 at 04:27 PM

Several years ago, people in San Felipe that traveled south a lot said it was 5-6 hours faster via Gonzaga than Ensenada - even with the rough roads.

Brian L - 10-25-2010 at 04:31 PM

How about a guess for someone coming from, say the corner of I8 and I15 in San Diego.

Using the I-8 to Tecate, then the Toll Road from Tecate to 5, and then 5 to where it meets the 1.
vs.
Tijuana to 1D to 1 to where it will meet the new 5.

David K - 10-25-2010 at 04:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by blane
How about a guess for someone coming from, say the corner of I8 and I15 in San Diego.

Using the I-8 to Tecate, then the Toll Road from Tecate to 5, and then 5 to where it meets the 1.
vs.
Tijuana to 1D to 1 to where it will meet the new 5.


Hwy. 1 is shorter... from your starting point if you are going south of Laguna Chapala... even when Hwy. 5 is finished.

The question will be is it FASTER when you have city traffic in Ensenada and local or farm traffic in the San Quintin valley to deal with?

mcfez - 10-25-2010 at 05:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Von
So if i live right off the 15 freeway in sandiego next to the 8. would it be faster to get down to BOLA through the new road or just take the same old hwy 1 ?


yes


The drawback here is that there be lots of trucks.....trying to pass might be a pain. But still.....I can get to BoLA in what...4 hours....would be fantastic.

One can see in the pic below...the new driveways being put in. This is near Black Mountain



[Edited on 10-26-2010 by mcfez]

roadie.jpg - 48kB

David K - 10-25-2010 at 05:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Quote:
Originally posted by Von
So if i live right off the 15 freeway in sandiego next to the 8. would it be faster to get down to BOLA through the new road or just take the same old hwy 1 ?


yes


The drawback here is that there be lots of trucks.....trying to pass might be a pain. But still.....I can get to BoLA in what...4 hours....would be fantastic.

One can see in the pic below...the new driveways being put in. This is near Black Mountain



[Edited on 10-26-2010 by mcfez]


From San Diego:

To go east to Mexicali, then turn south to Hwy. 1 at Laguna Chapala:

San Diego to Mexicali is about 120 miles... Mexicali to Laguna Chapala is about 261 miles... 381 total, about 8 hours when all paved.

San Diego to Laguna Chapala via Hwy. 1 is about 340, about 7 hours.

Pretty close!

mtgoat666 - 10-25-2010 at 06:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez

Last week there is a crew sitting at the table. A well dressed crew. Engineers!

The highway completion to Mex1 will be done by 2012.



mcfez:
pretty funny :lol: you should write standup comedy :lol:

i am skeptical of mexican government funding for roads in rural areas -- such funding is sort of like the wind, it comes and goes... don't count your chickens before they are hatched!

mcfez - 10-25-2010 at 06:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez

Last week there is a crew sitting at the table. A well dressed crew. Engineers!

The highway completion to Mex1 will be done by 2012.



mcfez:
pretty funny :lol: you should write standup comedy :lol:

i am skeptical of mexican government funding for roads in rural areas -- such funding is sort of like the wind, it comes and goes... don't count your chickens before they are hatched!


Agree! I "think" this project's funding has been secured 100%.

Rumors I heard.....now I said rumors! : President Fox and wife.. bought a huge chunk of land down by Gonzaga Bay while in office. Maybe this highway has something connected to that.

rts551 - 10-25-2010 at 07:06 PM

The new road will be great for traveling to and from Arizona. It is way shorter and has less traffic congestion. But for people already on the west coast of Kalifornia I question how it could be any shorter (long drive east to catch M3)

mcpuitar - 10-26-2010 at 01:06 PM

Driving the "new highway" Mex 5 is a total of 807 miles from my home in Tucson to mi casa en Punta Chivato. Crossing at Tecate and taking Mex 3 to Mex 1 is exactly 1,000 miles door-to-door. So it cuts almost 200 miles off my trip and, even in its current unfinished state, it's the way to go for me. As stated above, less congestion too (for now anyway). Had a nice trip down in May and June, also staying at Campo Cristina just below Puertecitos, and at Papa Fernandez on the way back. Will try some different campos this next time.

I used to take the ferry from Guaymas to S.R., and occasionally crossed at Tecate taking MEX 3 down to Mex 1, but with the ferry cost at $300+ with a car, and the regular construction zones and traffic on Rts 3 and 1, I think I'll be using 5 to 1 from now on. I'll really miss the Santa Rosalia ferry experience (it's always an adventure), as well as wine tasting along Ruta del Vino, comidas at Mama Espinosa's, and the Cataviņa boulder fields, but Mex 5 just works best from Arizona. And on the plus side--I can stop for a beer and some good conversation at Coco's Corner. And when they travel down there my dogs much prefer camping on the beach and eating dead sea critters to being confined to the the car on the ferry deck.

Sounds like there may be an additional 10kms of pavement south of Isla El Huerfanito by the time I go again on Veterans Day in a little over two weeks. And maybe even gas in Puertecitos?--thanks for those updates by the way!

Link: "Going South from Tecate..."

windgrrl - 10-26-2010 at 02:17 PM

Found this link to recent info with driving direction pix:


http://la-ventana.forumotion.com/by-land-f15/going-south-from-tecate-on-the-road-that-has-no-traffic-to-1-t253.htm#520

David K - 10-26-2010 at 02:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by windgrrl
Found this link to recent info with driving direction pix:


http://la-ventana.forumotion.com/by-land-f15/going-south-from-tecate-on-the-road-that-has-no-traffic-to-1-t253.htm#520


Nice job, it does show going on the toll road to Corredor 2000... The free road to Corredor 2000 is also a 4 lane highway, and about 10 miles shorter/ $8 dolars cheaper. Only a few stop lights more, but well worth that.

windgrrl - 10-28-2010 at 12:43 PM

Okay - so if I have this correct, then from Tecate, the navigation is thus:

Clear border, get visas, take Benito Juarez (Mex 2) or De Cuota (Mex 2D) to San Vincente.

Maneuver through San Vincente interchange and stay on Mex 2 free road.

Next Corredor Tijuana 2000 interchange connects to Mex 2 (free road) is just past Refugio at El Florido. Mex 2 free road becomes Mex 2 toll road (or does it?). Is there an off-ramp and toll booth at interchange near El Florido?

Maneuver through this interchange onto Mex 2 which is now a toll road. Continue on toll road to Ensenda.

Please advise - I am the navigator and if I don't have this evidence secured beforehand, I will default to intuition and we all know how that can turn out.
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by windgrrl
Found this link to recent info with driving direction pix:


http://la-ventana.forumotion.com/by-land-f15/going-south-from-tecate-on-the-road-that-has-no-traffic-to-1-t253.htm#520


Nice job, it does show going on the toll road to Corredor 2000... The free road to Corredor 2000 is also a 4 lane highway, and about 10 miles shorter/ $8 dolars cheaper. Only a few stop lights more, but well worth that.

David K - 10-28-2010 at 12:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by windgrrl
Okay - so if I have this correct, then from Tecate, the navigation is thus:

Clear border, get visas, take Benito Juarez (Mex 2) or De Cuota (Mex 2D) to San Vincente.

Maneuver through San Vincente interchange and stay on Mex 2 free road.

Next Corredor Tijuana 2000 interchange connects to Mex 2 (free road) is just past Refugio at El Florido. Mex 2 free road becomes Mex 2 toll road (or does it?). Is there an off-ramp and toll booth at interchange near El Florido?

Maneuver through this interchange onto Mex 2 which is now a toll road. Continue on toll road to Ensenda.

Please advise - I am the navigator and if I don't have this evidence secured beforehand, I will default to intuition and we all know how that can turn out.



Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by windgrrl
Found this link to recent info with driving direction pix:


http://la-ventana.forumotion.com/by-land-f15/going-south-from-tecate-on-the-road-that-has-no-traffic-to-1-t253.htm#520


Nice job, it does show going on the toll road to Corredor 2000... The free road to Corredor 2000 is also a 4 lane highway, and about 10 miles shorter/ $8 dolars cheaper. Only a few stop lights more, but well worth that.


No, some wrong Hwy. #s , but it's not so complictaed either...

I don't know what a San Vincente interchange is, either... so don't worry about that.

If you want to go way, way up to Tecate, instead of the shorter/ faster Otay border southbound... then cross in at Tecate, go down the hill a couple blocks to the main street (Hwy. 2) facing the big town park, and turn right (west)... take that street all the way to El Florido (Tijuana subburb) and get on the Corredor 2000 there... well signed (for Rosarito/ Popotla/ Ensenada/ BC#201)... all free, all 4 lanes only a couple of signals in El Florido after you leave Tecate.

The Corredor 2000 ends on the Ensenada Free Road, Mex. 1 (also 4 lanes wide, now), turn left, south! You can stay on the free road all the way... nice drive, but slower south of La Mision, or hop onto the Ensenada Toll Road (Mex. 1-D) at Cantamar, Splash, or La Mision/ Alistos.

If you cross at Otay, just go south 1 mile to Blvd. Industrial, then turn left/ east and go 5 miles to the Corredor 2000... all free.

I posted photos of the signs, etc. in my Sept. 18th weekend trip to Las Pintas report... including coming back north through Tecate.

windgrrl - 10-28-2010 at 01:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by windgrrl
Okay - so if I have this correct, then from Tecate, the navigation is thus:

Clear border, get visas, take Benito Juarez (Mex 2) or De Cuota (Mex 2D) to San Vincente.

Maneuver through San Vincente interchange and stay on Mex 2 free road.

Next Corredor Tijuana 2000 interchange connects to Mex 2 (free road) is just past Refugio at El Florido. Mex 2 free road becomes Mex 2 toll road (or does it?). Is there an off-ramp and toll booth at interchange near El Florido?

Maneuver through this interchange onto Mex 2 which is now a toll road. Continue on toll road to Ensenda.

Please advise - I am the navigator and if I don't have this evidence secured beforehand, I will default to intuition and we all know how that can turn out.



Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by windgrrl
Found this link to recent info with driving direction pix:


http://la-ventana.forumotion.com/by-land-f15/going-south-from-tecate-on-the-road-that-has-no-traffic-to-1-t253.htm#520


Nice job, it does show going on the toll road to Corredor 2000... The free road to Corredor 2000 is also a 4 lane highway, and about 10 miles shorter/ $8 dolars cheaper. Only a few stop lights more, but well worth that.


No, some wrong Hwy. #s , but it's not so complictaed either...

I don't know what a San Vincente interchange is, either... so don't worry about that.

If you want to go way, way up to Tecate, instead of the shorter/ faster Otay border southbound... then cross in at Tecate, go down the hill a couple blocks to the main street (Hwy. 2) facing the big town park, and turn right (west)... take that street all the way to El Florido (Tijuana subburb) and get on the Corredor 2000 there... well signed (for Rosarito/ Popotla/ Ensenada/ BC#201)... all free, all 4 lanes only a couple of signals in El Florido after you leave Tecate.

The Corredor 2000 ends on the Ensenada Free Road, Mex. 1 (also 4 lanes wide, now), turn left, south! You can stay on the free road all the way... nice drive, but slower south of La Mision, or hop onto the Ensenada Toll Road (Mex. 1-D) at Cantamar, Splash, or La Mision/ Alistos.

If you cross at Otay, just go south 1 mile to Blvd. Industrial, then turn left/ east and go 5 miles to the Corredor 2000... all free.

I posted photos of the signs, etc. in my Sept. 18th weekend trip to Las Pintas report... including coming back north through Tecate.


Muchas gracias, David. We are a couple of Canucks coming down from the east via El Centro.

David K - 10-28-2010 at 03:08 PM

Okay, then I understand the Tecate part of it! If you need any additional clarification or maps, etc... Let me know!

Post from 2010, predicting Hwy. 5 completed in 2012!

David K - 10-15-2019 at 09:52 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mcfez  
While staying at Bahia Christina last week...waiting for the 40 + consent winds to die off (never did!).....here's what I got from the Cantina located there.

The Cantina has been leased out to a catering company to serve meals (taken to location) for the road construction site(s) and to serve the men there at the restaurant. Having said that....

Last week there is a crew sitting at the table. A well dressed crew. Engineers! Had the blueprints on the table...obviously talking shop. I asked one of the guys near our camp (he speaks fluent Spanish)...to ask them some questions concerning the new highway.

The strip under construction near isle el huerfanito ...is to be opened within two weeks.

The section to Gonzaga Bay is to be completed in mid Spring.

The highway completion to Mex1 will be done by 2012.

There are no current construction delays.


From my own sightings....

Impressive guard rails along the highway where truly needed.

New driveways being installed for many camps...using the old entrances (many complaints from owners that the "new" entrances were improper for them). Dirt fill is being used. Compacted by roller.

Camp signs going up! Didn't expect to see this happen. Looks like a highway in California now!

Concrete pillars marking ravines and dangerous off road areas...painted white for night time driving,

[Edited on 10-25-2010 by mcfez]

PaulW - 10-16-2019 at 07:15 AM

Yup, a blast from the past

Paco Facullo - 10-16-2019 at 07:58 AM

And the Goat was first to predict that it wouldn't get done on time,,,
how right he was !!!

mtgoat666 - 10-16-2019 at 08:14 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Paco Facullo  
And the Goat was first to predict that it wouldn't get done on time,,,
how right he was !!!


IT IS UNIVERSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED BY ALL, AND DISPUTED BY NONE: I AM ALWAYS RIGHT :light:

Howard - 10-16-2019 at 08:45 AM

Are you sure it's not the other way around?