BajaNomad

Construction North of Jesus Maria: catastrophic potential

Lee - 11-11-2011 at 08:21 PM

This stretch is an accident waiting to happen. NB has mostly elevated hard pack asphalt and is very narrow. It's possible to drive up onto this lane (from the SB lane) going up an incline of 4-5' for the first half then it dropped off in areas steeply and to about 10'. T

There was a dust storm and I couldn't see oncoming traffic so stayed in the SB lane. Couldn't see beyond my windshield and the wind created deep sand drifts. A friend was following behind me, couldn't see him, and was afraid to stop or even slow down and get rear ended.

Anyone pulling a trailer or driving an RV can get in a lot of trouble. Think I got the worst case scenario going through. It was tough and once you're committed, there's no going back.

Good luck headed South through this area. Slow is not always an option.

David K - 11-12-2011 at 09:09 AM

Lee,in the other thread on this highway section, I offered a couple of alternate route ideas for the 'non-hurried' travelers... Of course my idea was shot down... they then added that this construction zone was only 3 1/2 miles long, so that didn't justify an 80 mile dirt road detour (through beautiful Baja landscape)!

Is it still just 3.5 miles of construction?

Thank you!

Mulegena - 11-12-2011 at 09:36 AM

Yes, I believe its only about 3.5 miles but as Lee visually describes,
its exceedingly dangerous and it seems to come out of nowhere.

David, would you please post a map of this immediate Mex-1 area?
This would help us immensely in planning our journeys.

To travel the alternate routes you've provided would be a joy but isn't always an option.

Anyone traveling Mex-1 both north and south in that area might want to consider this:
1) be prepared and know where you are by tracking your trip on a map,
2) when you come to this area get off the raised roadbed immediately-- both north and southbound travelers. The northbound traffic apparently has the right to remain on the torn-down raised roadbed, but southbound traffic is not prohibited from getting up there, too, so chances of meeting a southbound car or truck head-on is very likely, hence the extreme danger of this stretch.
3) turn your headlights AND caution lights on
4) stay down onto the loose dirt shoulders and travel that stretch there slowly through to the other side,
5) Be extra cautious; there are no workers or flagmen.

[Edited on 11-12-2011 by Mulegena]

David K - 11-12-2011 at 09:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Yes, I believe its only about 3.5 miles but as Lee visually describes,
its exceedingly dangerous and it seems to come out of nowhere.

David, would you please post a map of this immediate Mex-1 area?
This would help us immensely in planning our journeys.

To travel the alternate routes you've provided would be a joy but isn't always an option.

Anyone traveling Mex-1 both north and south in that area might want to consider this:
1) be prepared and know where you are by tracking your trip on a map,
2) when you come to this area get off the raised roadbed immediately-- both north and southbound travelers. The northbound traffic apparently has the right to remain on the torn-down raised roadbed, but southbound traffic is not prohibited from getting up there, too, so chances of meeting a southbound car or truck head-on is very likely, hence the extreme danger of this stretch.
3) turn your headlights AND caution lights on
4) stay down onto the loose dirt shoulders and travel that stretch there slowly through to the other side,
5) Be extra cautious; there are no workers or flagmen.

[Edited on 11-12-2011 by Mulegena]


Other than the ones I posted in this thread?: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=56078

David K - 11-12-2011 at 09:54 AM

Here is one of the AAA maps I used for the Mike Younghusband adventure... of the region:



At the top (El Tomatal, Dec. 7) you can find the old main road by driving east from Mex. 1... and use the old road to go south to El Arco, or come back to the highway at Villa Jesus Maria...





[Edited on 11-12-2011 by David K]

acadist - 11-12-2011 at 10:00 AM

Does anyone know how long this supposed to last? We will headed down that way in 3 weeks

rts551 - 11-12-2011 at 10:03 AM

A while. I will ask in Jesus Maria on Tuesday. I will post pictures if I remember to take them.
Quote:
Originally posted by acadist
Does anyone know how long this supposed to last? We will headed down that way in 3 weeks

DianaT - 11-12-2011 at 10:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
A while. I will ask in Jesus Maria on Tuesday. I will post pictures if I remember to take them.



Quote:
Originally posted by acadist
Does anyone know how long this supposed to last? We will headed down that way in 3 weeks


Thanks---hope they have made the deal with a new contractor and get busy.

Lauriboats - 11-12-2011 at 12:39 PM

Some idiot driving 60 mph going North in the South bound lane rear-ended my husband as he re-entred the hwy from the detour, very dangerous.

rts551 - 11-12-2011 at 12:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Lauriboats
Some idiot driving 60 mph going North in the South bound lane rear-ended my husband as he re-entred the hwy from the detour, very dangerous.


Are you saying he was driving 60 on the dirt detour portion? and you were on the paved north-bound lane.

Lauriboats - 11-12-2011 at 02:55 PM

They were both going south my husband on the detour road, the guy who hit him on the paved road for the north bound traffic, he hit my husband after he entered back on the hwy. My husband was doing 25 MPH. They were both really lucky they were not hurt.

DaliDali - 11-12-2011 at 04:15 PM

The Mexican government and SCT (secretaria de communications y transportes) who are responsible for maintaining the Federal highway #1 that traverses the Baja peninsula, should be very very embarrassed about this situation.

For god's sake.....just hire another contractor and get it going.

I sure hope the trans peninsular trucking outfits and the autobus' Aguila y ABC are screaming about this to whomever will listen.
They may have the power to get things going....or not.

rts551 - 11-12-2011 at 04:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Lauriboats
They were both going south my husband on the detour road, the guy who hit him on the paved road for the north bound traffic, he hit my husband after he entered back on the hwy. My husband was doing 25 MPH. They were both really lucky they were not hurt.


wow thats too bad. who did the Federal Police give the ticket too. You guys were entering back onto the hiway and he was in the wrong lane.