BajaNomad

Mulege to Tijuana

gallesram - 9-15-2011 at 11:21 AM

Just made the trip last week. As seems to be the case lately, the roads in BCS were great; all of the bridges are finished between Mulege and Guerrero Negro and there were literally no delays.

North of GN is another story; there is a 10KM stretch just north of Jesus Maria where the NB traffic can drive on the left side of the road, and the SB traffic drives on the soft dirt shoulder. Beware that a few trucks ignore the rules and I had 2 semis force me off the road so they could drive on the paved part. They don't seem to be making any progress on that one. The next area is antother 10KM stretch just north of Catavina; they seem to be making great progress but it's slow going through the zone. Another 10KM stretch lies around the Guayakil turnoff 1/2 way between El Rosario & Catavina. Again, they're working pretty hard on that and my guess is that they'll be done quickly.

The worst part, however, is the 10KM stretch 1/2 way between Santo Tomas & Manadero; lots of trucks, dust & general misery. The other construction, I could deal with; maybe I was just tired, but this last stretch was pretty miserable. Seems that they'll be at this for a while, too, but they're working hard on it. If you're pulling a trailer, this part won't be fun but you should be OK.

Military checkpoints were really fast and I was actually just waived through (northbound) in San Ignacio, a first.

woody with a view - 9-15-2011 at 04:17 PM

Quote:

The worst part, however, is the 10KM stretch 1/2 way between Santo Tomas & Manadero; lots of trucks, dust & general misery. The other construction, I could deal with; maybe I was just tired, but this last stretch was pretty miserable. Seems that they'll be at this for a while, too, but they're working hard on it. If you're pulling a trailer, this part won't be fun but you should be OK.


i noticed the same thing 2 weeks ago. seems like they keep tearing it up, but not repairing on the back end. WTF? i'll be towing in 35 days......:(

gallesram - 9-16-2011 at 11:11 AM

I don't envy you with a trailer. I enjoy an unpaved road like the rest of us, but not with lots of impatient semis & cars. Tough to figure out just what they're going to do with that stretch south of Maneadero; are they going to really get rid of the switchback altogether and make it a straight shot? Seems pretty steep! Anyway, it was enough to make me think twice about driving back anytime soon.

BajaBlanca - 9-16-2011 at 06:22 PM

Les's son just came 3 days ago towing a small boat, it took them 15 1/2 hours when it usually takes 10 hours .... he says the roads are a nightmare.

It took them sooooooooo long and we got ssooooooooooooooo worried that i called the local police to come over ... we were gong to check into road accidents.

Both cops and son arrived at the same time

WHAT A RELIEF :lol:

[Edited on 9-17-2011 by BajaBlanca]

Be careful out there, folks

Mulegena - 9-16-2011 at 06:37 PM

Yes, there's a couple areas, I think around the south Catavina - El Rosario corridor,
that are gob-smack-amazing, plain-aXX dangerous.

Both lanes torn down to the ground, no workmen, no flagmen, just one, demolished, narrow as a snake 12-foot wide path for BOTH north- and south-bound traffic to share-- at the same time!

No exaggeration.

When this does get repaired and the danger managed, will someone either resurrect this thread or post condition updates in a new one?

I've been driving the peninsula for 30 years and have never seen anything so cavalierly mismanaged as what we encountered on our drive this week.

woody with a view - 9-16-2011 at 06:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by gallesramTough to figure out just what they're going to do with that stretch south of Maneadero; are they going to really get rid of the switchback altogether and make it a straight shot? Seems pretty steep!


yep. we had the same thought. it looks like instead of winding up and around to the left while northbound they are planning to create a new pass that goes up and to the right!

i just wish they would rip up 2 miles and patch, rip up 2 miles and patch......