BajaNomad

TECATE ROAD CONSTRUCTION ZONE UPDATE

DENNIS - 11-30-2010 at 05:55 PM

As in the past, these are sent to me from a Nomad who prefers to have me put it up here:
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Monday, 4 AM, 11/-29/2010

After a 1 month absence from Baja I headed south to spend Thanksgiving week in Ensenada; returned to San Diego Monday morning, 11/-29/2010, at 4 am. Very happy to report that approximately 85% of the torn up old road is now paved, in sections and in some fashion. An absolutely marvelous improvement.

The area coming into Valle de Las Palmas, over the top of the hill, and down to the bottom of the valley is paved, but returns to dirt at the bottom of the grade. The paving dead ends at the beginning of the bridge, which required a slight back track as there were no road markers in evidence. The dirt road is off on the west side, and has been re-graded.

As of Monday all the dirt sections have been re-graded, widened, with no rock gardens or wash boarding in evidence.

The section that goes over the highest point, “the summit”, is still dirt, but again, re-graded, widened, no wash boarding or rock gardens.

There are as of yet no stripping or road side reflectors, so it is necessary to keep an eye out, however, at 5 am I had very little problems with this; road side signs are currently being installed.

Border line was pretty long, back out on to the main commercial road before you make the turn, however, a couple of old seasoned border vets were getting people through as fast as I’ve seen all year; the line was moving almost constantly, praise be the lord!

Total time from the north end of Ensenada at the Pemex gas station to the first stop light coming into Tecate just past the power plant: 1 hour and 35 minutes.

David K - 11-30-2010 at 06:10 PM

Thanks Dennis! (and unnamed Nomad)

85% of the 16 miles being rebuilt... means 13.6 are done and only 2.4 miles are on dirt detours... verdad?

Great news... and great speed!

[Edited on 12-1-2010 by David K]

Bob H - 12-1-2010 at 12:08 AM

Wow, that's great... thanks for the update Dennis!

Pompano - 12-1-2010 at 05:40 AM

Bravo y Gracias for ghost-writing/posting this report, Dennis. The Ruta de Vino between Tecate and Ensenada has always been my favorite ingress/egress to Baja Sur. Glad to hear the construction process is going well.

One hour and thirty-five minutes for that highway is very doable, but the real plus is the much shorter wait to cross back into the USA. I've got to be in San Diego soon, and look forward to taking that familiar route again.

Nothing like BajaNomads to keep oneself up on current Baja events. :D

DENNIS - 12-1-2010 at 06:51 AM

Ohhh Yeah...I have reborn faith and appreciation for Cal Trans de Baja.

rebob - 12-7-2010 at 06:26 PM

We travelled the route today and spent most of the time on the gravel detours...true, much of the route is now paved, but very few of those sections were actually open to public traffic.

Looks like they're waiting to link up the paved sections and then get lines, etc., down.

Detours were generally fine, if a little dusty.

David K - 12-7-2010 at 06:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rebob
We travelled the route today and spent most of the time on the gravel detours...true, much of the route is now paved, but very few of those sections were actually open to public traffic.

Looks like they're waiting to link up the paved sections and then get lines, etc., down.

Detours were generally fine, if a little dusty.


Thanks for that detail and WELCOME to Baja Nomad!:bounce:

Udo - 12-7-2010 at 07:52 PM

Muchas gracias to DENIS and rebob.
Looks like our little crossing is starting to see the big lines!

Word is getting out and spoiling it for the rest of us.

David K - 12-7-2010 at 07:55 PM

'Good Roads bring ALL kinds of people'!

mcfez - 12-7-2010 at 09:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
'Good Roads bring ALL kinds of people'!


It sure does...I arrived :-)

Thanks Dennis 4 the update. I will be using that crossing for the first time this coming Feb-March.