BajaNomad

Changes to crossing southbound at San Ysidro?

Alan - 6-18-2013 at 06:56 AM

I haven't driven down in about a year and a half but I'm headed down in a couple of weeks. I thought there were some posts last year about changes at the border but a search of this site came up empty. I'll be towing a boat and stopping in the Declaration Lane to get and pay for our FMM's.

We are planning to cross around first light (6:00AM) to hopefully get through Ensenada before the city fully wakes up to minimize traffic.

Has anything changed in the last year and a half or is it still the same and the reason my query came up blank?

DENNIS - 6-18-2013 at 07:20 AM

Here's Bruce's video of the crossing.

If you search El Chaparral, you'll find other stuff:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKgKsfl1sn0

David K - 6-18-2013 at 07:28 AM

Everyone who has been through the new crossing seems to like it... lots of parking... Read Neal Johns and edm1's trip report posted the past couple of days. The FMM purchase is described... Dennis is on target, 'El Chaparral' is what Mexico calls the new Tijuana port of entry...

Ateo - 6-18-2013 at 07:43 AM

I have stopped at El Chap 2 times to get an FMM, both times pulling into declaration to park and enter the building. Does anyone know if you can go thru the border gate and pull over to the right next to the building instead?

[Edited on 6-19-2013 by Ateo]

Bob H - 6-18-2013 at 07:55 AM

Nice video of the new entry... have not been down there since this was opened and will be going through this entry this Saturday on our way to Ensenada! Looks fairly simple.

BajaParrothead - 6-18-2013 at 08:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
I have stopped at El Chap 2 times to get an FMM, both times pulling into secondary to park and enter the building. Does anyone know if you can go thru the border gate and pull over to the right next to the building instead?


Ateo, I was reading the comments below Bruces video and he suggested staying to the right, entering the declaration lane and parking next to the FMM building. I'll see if that works on the 30th. :light:

edm1 - 6-18-2013 at 08:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Everyone who has been through the new crossing seems to like it... lots of parking... Read Neal Johns and edm1's trip report posted the past couple of days. The FMM purchase is described... Dennis is on target, 'El Chaparral' is what Mexico calls the new Tijuana port of entry...


Yeah, just stay on the rightmost open lane and it will lead you to a curve to the right which will lead you to the office parking lots. Then to the left is the building, with parking spaces for smaller vehicles. To the right are bigger spaces, but a little longer walk to the office.

New Crossing

J.P. - 6-18-2013 at 09:13 AM

It's Super Nice and very easy to get through. As you enter the road on the TJ side of the border after you clear the new entry they are doing construction on the road right where you Merg into traffic be careful.

DENNIS - 6-18-2013 at 09:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
Nice video of the new entry... have not been down there since this was opened and will be going through this entry this Saturday on our way to Ensenada! Looks fairly simple.


I came through a couple of weeks back and where the on-ramp coming out of the customs plaza meets the road, it was being worked on and dangerous. Be very careful there. It puts you right into a lane of fast traffic with no way to avoid merging cars. They can't move to the left and they won't slow down.
Maybe the road work there is completed by now.

Trueheart - 6-18-2013 at 09:56 AM

New setup is much improved over old one.

When we went through in early March (towing an ATV trailer) we stopped into the office to get our FMM's stamped. We attempted to park 30-40 yards away in an "open" area so as to make exiting with our trailer easy. However, an official requested that we park "in the lot" closest to the building and there were a few other towed trailers in that lot also. The lot is really not configured to handle trailer set ups, especially multiples at one time. It's a lot designed more for single vehicles.

This made for a difficult but not impossible exit. Just keep your plan to exit in mind.

edm1 - 6-18-2013 at 10:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Trueheart
New setup is much improved over old one.

When we went through in early March (towing an ATV trailer) we stopped into the office to get our FMM's stamped. We attempted to park 30-40 yards away in an "open" area so as to make exiting with our trailer easy. However, an official requested that we park "in the lot" closest to the building and there were a few other towed trailers in that lot also. The lot is really not configured to handle trailer set ups, especially multiples at one time. It's a lot designed more for single vehicles.

This made for a difficult but not impossible exit. Just keep your plan to exit in mind.


Be prepared to drive forward over the curbs, like Neal Johns did, before he realized it was better to park beside my motorhome which was parked away from the building. No one bothered my motorhome.

[Edited on 6-18-2013 by edm1]

Cappy - 6-18-2013 at 10:28 AM

Hours of operation?

BajaParrothead - 6-18-2013 at 12:44 PM

We are entering on a Sunday; Is there an issue with paying right there, or will we have to find a bank during the week?

[Edited on 6-18-2013 by BajaParrothead]

comitan - 6-18-2013 at 01:05 PM

Starting from June 17, 2013 to June 21, 2013 (9:00 pm to 5:00a.m), some
lanes of 905 freeway that lead to the Otay Mesa border lanes into
Mexico will be closed.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the
installation of an awning on several of the southbound lanes, in order
to provide greater security for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) staff.

This construction project will require temporary and partial closure of
several lanes that lead towards Mexico. Lanes will reopen every day at
5a.m.

The 905 freeway will remain open during the construction period and
motorists may enter Mexico on the same road. Signs will be placed to
alert travelers to slow down and guide motorists.

Motorists should expect slow traffic in the construction area.
Additional Notices announcing closures and traffic diversions will be
announced. For more information on scheduled lane closures and other
construction projects, please visit the website: www.gsa.gov

http://www.sandiegored.com/noticias/39255/Otay-Mesa-border-l...
xico-will-be-closed-temporarily/

Pacifico - 6-18-2013 at 08:12 PM

Alan,

I just took a boat down a couple weeks ago. When going into Mexico, stay to the far right in the lanes. All of the lanes will make a curve to the left as you are almost to the gates. I was able to stay to the right and park in front (slightly south) of the big blue building where you get the FMM's. They checked my registrations for VIN/HIN and they were super polite!

Let me know if you need anymore info....

Ateo - 6-19-2013 at 05:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaParrothead
We are entering on a Sunday; Is there an issue with paying right there, or will we have to find a bank during the week?

[Edited on 6-18-2013 by BajaParrothead]


I believe one of the banks is open 24/7 at the crossing.

SFandH - 6-19-2013 at 05:43 AM

Just drove through yesterday. There is still construction where the road after the crossing meets the highway that goes west along the border. Lots of construction but the traffic moved smoothly and no big bumps. Definitely avoid afternoon rush hour though. It is a bottleneck.

It looks like the new border highway is going to be great. The new east bound lanes are elevated to the same level as the westbound lanes and everything is concrete, no more asphalt. Plus the elevation will hide somewhat the trashy slum the road goes by. That has to be the oldest, ugliest part of TJ. Very hard on your eyes, as is most of TJ.

DENNIS - 6-19-2013 at 06:14 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SFandH

It looks like the new border highway is going to be great. The new east bound lanes are elevated to the same level as the westbound lanes and everything is concrete, no more asphalt. Plus the elevation will hide somewhat the trashy slum the road goes by. That has to be the oldest, ugliest part of TJ. Very hard on your eyes, as is most of TJ.


Another benefit......it won't be under water when it rains. :light:

Alan - 6-19-2013 at 07:38 AM

Thank you to everyone for your responses. I am so glad I asked the question. I really hate surprises when driving a rig over 50' long. :lol:

There seemed to be quite a bit of disagreement early on about bank hours to pay for the FMM. Would I be correct in assuming that issue has been resolved and that crossing at 6:00AM is no longer and issue?

BajaParrothead - 6-19-2013 at 08:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaParrothead
We are entering on a Sunday; Is there an issue with paying right there, or will we have to find a bank during the week?

[Edited on 6-18-2013 by BajaParrothead]


I believe one of the banks is open 24/7 at the crossing.


Thank you!