BajaNomad

TECATE ROAD / HWY 3 CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

DENNIS - 1-27-2011 at 12:57 PM

There has been commendable progress on the road. As of my south to north trip yesterday, the work begins at the Las Palmas Bridge. That's about 45 miles from Sauzal down in the valley. The bridge surface is really rough; a combination of asphalt and concrete. It looks as though they're trying to remove the surface. Anyway...go very slow.

Between that point and Tecate, there is work here and there for mostly short distances, the longest being about two miles.
All in all, there can't be anymore than five miles total of road surface construction and work on the shoulders far exceeds that.
The dirt surface is hard and relatively smooth and the drive is easy.

One note of caution...when you see in the near distance a surface change, asphalt to dirt....old asphalt to new etc...slow down to a crawl. The change will have a three inch verticle rise or fall. It's like running into a curb.

That's the way it was yesterday. No guarantees on tomorrow.
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Note to Paulb87:

Paul inquired a couple of days back about large RVs using the Commercial crossing lanes at Tecate. The inspector was a nice guy and gave me the info....Yes, only on Sunday. He added that around 11:00 AM would be the best time.
Since I was holding up traffic, I couldn't overstay my welcome and had to leave.
He [I've spoken with this same inspector in the past] also said a vehicle, or vehicles, that are around 50 feet long can make the turns in the passenger lane as long as the inspection booth is approached from the left lane. He pointed out some of the abrasions on the walls to make his point. He also said, good drivers don't leave marks.

BUEN VIAJE

paulb87 - 1-27-2011 at 01:35 PM

Thanks Dennis for the update info!:light:

karmatourer - 1-27-2011 at 04:07 PM

Just what I want to hear for my bike ride southbound-thanks VERY MUCH for that heads up.
Maybe by 1st week of March they'll be finished-LOL:lol:
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
One note of caution...when you see in the near distance a surface change, asphalt to dirt....old asphalt to new etc...slow down to a crawl. The change will have a three inch verticle rise or fall. It's like running into a curb.



[Edited on 1-27-2011 by karmatourer]

Bajahowodd - 1-27-2011 at 04:41 PM

So Dennis, kinda wonder why it is that you cross through Tecate. Assuming you have business to conduct in the San Diego area, when you cross over at Tecate, you find yourself in the middle of nowhere.:spingrin:

DENNIS - 1-27-2011 at 05:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
So Dennis, kinda wonder why it is that you cross through Tecate. Assuming you have business to conduct in the San Diego area, when you cross over at Tecate, you find yourself in the middle of nowhere.:spingrin:


I don't have a Sentri Pass. I was arrested for trespassing around 1975 [a really CS deal] and I would have to go up to Laguna Niguel to have it expunged. That effort would fly in the face of my intent to bail out of here.

Besides...one man's middle of nowhere is another man's middle of heaven. Especially this time of year with the hills as beautiful as they are after rain.

DENNIS - 1-27-2011 at 05:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by karmatourer
Just what I want to hear for my bike ride southbound-thanks VERY MUCH for that heads up.
Maybe by 1st week of March they'll be finished-LOL:lol:



Well...if you have to do it, just try to ride through these areas at low traffic times. Drivers tend to become impatient when in these zones.

David K - 1-27-2011 at 06:07 PM

Gee... because a 20-40 min. wait beats a 2 hour wait...! I would rather drive an hour than wait in a line ideling for 2 hours just to save 50 miles.

msteve1014 - 1-27-2011 at 07:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Gee... because a 20-40 min. wait beats a 2 hour wait...! I would rather drive an hour than wait in a line ideling for 2 hours just to save 50 miles.


Thats a big 10-4. I drive " the long way" every time, to not fight my way through TJ coming home.

vandenberg - 1-27-2011 at 08:41 PM

Been going north through Tecate for over 20 years.
It's really too bad that lots of gringos discovered this route.:no: Used to be a cinch, now it's, like TJ, getting to be a pain. :(

David K - 1-27-2011 at 11:21 PM

Lot's of Gringos? There haven't been lot's of gringos in a couple years... If you are once again seeing lots of gringos, then the economy must be getting better!!! Good News!!:cool::bounce: