BajaNomad

Government shut down---longer crossing times?

mcfez - 4-8-2011 at 08:02 AM

Glad we just did the Spring Break!
Any one here that is stuck without a camp spot...contact me. Any BN here may use any of my properties to camp on down in San Felipe.

With a possible shutdown of the operation of the U.S Government this coming weekend, I inquired about what possible effects there might be on the international border crossings. The word is that the crossings will remain open and operate their normal hours. However, it is possible that overtime work will not be approved and that could result in fewer lanes being in operation - potentially longer crossing times could result.

In Baja California, the state is preparing for the upcoming Easter holiday period. Every effort is to be made to ensure safety of travelers during the 15 April - 2 May peak travel period. Roads are being examined to ensure that they are in good condition and properly marked. Some 240 million pesos is to be spent to make emergency repairs on the scenic Tijuana-Ensenada highway, the Tecate- Ensenada road and the Mexicali-San Felipe route. We pray that something can be done to make the section between km 50-70 south of Mexicali fit for passenger cars - a temporary asphalt carpet perhaps?

San Felipe is preparing for the annual influx of visitors for Semana Santa ( 18-24 April). A total of some 80,000 visitors are expected from Mexicali, Tijuana and Ensenada, together with a fair contingent from the Imperial Valley and the San Diego, Los Angeles, Yuma region. Unfortunately, the jobless rate of almost 27% in El Centro, the highest in the entire USA, and the continued economic uncertainty in both California and Baja California, means that a lot of families will be camping on the beaches and bringing as much food and drink as possible with them. Still, the economic benefit to the town should be around $1.5 million dollars. Occupancy rates of hotels and condominiums should approach 90% in the Thursday-Saturday period but most people are on the way back home on Easter Sunday. The Malecon will be choc-a-bloc.

sf.com/mex

Bajajorge - 4-8-2011 at 08:47 AM

Semana Santa is always a circus down here.

mcfez - 4-8-2011 at 10:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajajorge
Semana Santa is always a circus down here.


Oh yeah....we found out the hard way!

Due to the time restrictions...we left SF on the Easter Sunday. I never travel holidays....except that time.

It was a freakin nightmare of 8 miles prior to the Inspection post. Overheated cars, RV's attempting to drive in the sand (!!!!!)....just Gods awful. I think I may have posted a story about this a while back ago.

gallesram - 4-8-2011 at 10:27 AM

Any word whether this would affect the SENTRI lanes? I was worried that they might shift those officers to the general lanes due to a smaller pool of officers on duty and just close the SENTRI lanes altogether during the shut down.

BajaGringo - 4-8-2011 at 10:28 AM

If Customs and Border Protection agents get furloughed, maybe a resourceful narco or two will consider renting out a few of their tunnels?

Woooosh - 4-8-2011 at 10:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGringo
If Customs and Border Protection agents get furloughed, maybe a resourceful narco or two will consider renting out a few of their tunnels?

I don't know how much longer the wait times could be. It's the length of the line (in cars, not time) that cripples the Tijuana streets as much as kills the day for those trying to cross northbound.

I can remember when Rosarito locals used to dread the easter traffic in town. They just finished the new pavement of the main street in town- including the polka dot lane markers. I'm sure the 200 peso/night hotels will be full of Mexicalianos, it will be interesting to see if the higher priced tourist hotels get any business.

They did not put any porta potties in or staff the lifeguard towers yet in Rosarito- not sure if that means they don't expect the crowds or just don't care if Mexican tourists drown or children have to squat in the street to do their business. We'll see.