BajaNomad - Gonzaga to Chapala

Gonzaga to Chapala

rts551 - 9-3-2015 at 05:01 PM

There must be 300 workers and 50 pieces of heavy equipment working between the end of the pavement to within 5 miles of Laguna Chapala. Earth moving and bridges going in. They have also repaired the road somewhat although it is still primarily a 10 mph road. They moved quickly in the month I was not on the road.

chippy - 9-3-2015 at 07:24 PM

Looks like they want to finish before the snowbird season?

rts551 - 9-3-2015 at 07:42 PM

They are sure working on it. Temp housing in Gonzaga, buses for the workers, and I saw 3 mobile kitchens in 3 different places on site. Could have been more.

bajabuddha - 9-3-2015 at 07:52 PM

YAAAAAAYYYYYY !!!! (I think....) :smug:

Ateo - 9-3-2015 at 08:03 PM

Sure will be nice when this is completed. I've been taking this road home the past two years and really like the option to bypass the coastal traffic.

bajabuddha - 9-3-2015 at 08:15 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Ateo

Sure will be nice when this is completed. I've been taking this road home the past two years and really like the option to bypass the coastal traffic.

I agree totally, and probably so will I. Trouble is, so will everyone else. There will be much change in Most of the upper 2/3rds of Baja.

"Oh, The Times, They Are A-Chaaaaangin"

rts551 - 9-4-2015 at 07:10 AM

and for us in Arizona, it cuts a 200 miles and hours off our trip.

Just have not found a good hotel that is pet friendly to stay at. Stayed at Las Palmas this time, may try Blue Sky (outside or town) next time.

Hook - 9-4-2015 at 07:11 AM

Some bigwig must want to start selling lots in 2016 or 17.

rts551 - 9-4-2015 at 07:19 AM

Have not seen any real estate activity other than what there is already. San Felipe still looks like a town in economic dispair.

TMW - 9-4-2015 at 12:39 PM

I have heard that former President Fox's wife or her family bought a lot of land around Gonzaga Bay when they first started the new highway construction. Most likely hotels will go up when the highway is finished. Only problem is water. Desalting sea water takes a lot of electricity.

bkbend - 9-4-2015 at 01:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551

and for us in Arizona, it cuts a 200 miles and hours off our trip.

Just have not found a good hotel that is pet friendly to stay at. Stayed at Las Palmas this time, may try Blue Sky (outside or town) next time.

We've been doing the pet-friendly roulette when passing through San Felipe for a couple years. Tried Blue Sky last year and it worked out fine. Clean, good sized rooms, full size refer in room, had no problem with our dog, something like $500/$600 pesos single/double. A little more money than, say, El Capitan but a much nicer room. You just don't get the "ambiance" of being in the middle of town and you aren't near the water, but was a great choice for a night en route to a nicer destination.

[Edited on 9-4-2015 by bkbend]

rts551 - 9-4-2015 at 02:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bkbend

Quote: Originally posted by rts551

Thanks for the report. I'll try it next time.

bajabuddha - 9-4-2015 at 03:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551

Have not seen any real estate activity other than what there is already. San Felipe still looks like a town in economic dispair.

The highway has been paved and improved to San Flip for years now; it'll stay just as it is; paving to Gonzaga opened quite a lot of newer development south. Now the extra day of travel is cut, BoLA will probably get more tourist attention, and more changes. Finishing the last stretch to Chapala will cut a day off of my travel too; us Trailer Trash Types will be more than happy to save about $100 on fuel costs. Traffic? Remains to be seen......

SFandH - 9-4-2015 at 04:16 PM

Good news about the roadwork!! I won't use the road but hopefully it means less traffic on highway 1 north of Chapala. Or, more likely, a slow down in the growth of traffic on highway 1 north of Chapala.

Cliffy - 9-4-2015 at 04:30 PM

I'll use the road from N AZ!

Back in the 70s Papa told me the road would be paved any time now!

What ever happened to $60 pangas in BOLA? :-)

It'll be a nice way to get to Asuncion from Gonzaga

NO MORE SQ TRAFFIC JAMS!!!!!!

David K - 9-4-2015 at 07:10 PM

The new (back then new) highway route was surveyed and in 1974 you could see white painted rock X's ever so often from near Gonzaga to San Felipe (I was traveling north in '74 and '75 doing a loop from the Pacific side). Over 10 years passed before bulldozers got to Gonzaga.

It wasn't until 1982-1985 that they made a new (dirt) highway going south from San Felipe to Puertecitos. The next part to Gonzaga and beyond was made in 1985-86... It joined with a new graded road from Chapala over to Puerto Calamajué... that junction became Coco's Corner in the 1990's.

Until it deteriorated from lack of maintenance, a 2WD car could safely get to Gonzaga Bay from the north or the south for the first time. By 2006 the dirt highway to Gonzaga was pretty rough for non-trucks or SUVs, once again.

From 2007 to 2014 a totally new road was built often on a different route between Puertecitos and Gonzaga, and it was finally paved.

In 2015, pavement extends 20.5 kms. (nearly 13 miles) south from Alfonsina's Pemex and work is underway on the remaining 20+ miles the new road will go to reach Hwy. 1.

At the junction with Highway 1, a large area is marked out, and would appear to be for a large Pemex station complex?

dtbushpilot - 9-4-2015 at 09:25 PM

Stayed at Kiki's in San Felipe a week ago with 2 dogs and 2 cats. I called ahead and made a reservation with Kiki, the room was nice and on the beach for $60. I would definitely stay there again.

dizzyspots - 9-5-2015 at 02:16 PM

glad I can say that I did the old road..made it a great adventure, but now have a trailer boat and looking forward to exploring BOLA...

larryC - 9-5-2015 at 02:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551

I stayed at the Blue Sky last week, nice clean room, pets were not a problem, room was $45 or 500P your choice, and the restaurant next door to the south was good.

rts551 - 9-5-2015 at 02:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by larryC

Quote: Originally posted by rts551

I stayed at the Blue Sky last week, nice clean room, pets were not a problem, room was $45 or 500P your choice, and the restaurant next door to the south was good.

Thanks. was wondering about a place to eat.

Cliffy - 9-5-2015 at 04:01 PM

Did Hwy 1 to Gonzaga in about 1974 or 75 in the middle of the night with 3 friends. Came upon a Military checkpoint somewhere in the hills before what is now Coco's area. No problem but I think we woke them up. We were in an old Jeep Wagoneer.
can't wait for the new road.

mojo_norte - 9-5-2015 at 05:16 PM

interesting - when I drove through there last April there was no construction activity what so ever .

mtnpop - 10-6-2015 at 09:45 AM

mornin...
headin south in a couple of weeks and have not seen a recent update on progress from gonzaga to chapala...
Anyone done the trip in the last week or so or soon that can report on what if anything is better over the last 23 miles.????
any news is very much appreciated... we come from Colorado and this route is a big help to us... last trips we are carrying an overhead camper and its still better than the west route...
thanks

pangajohn - 10-6-2015 at 10:24 AM

It is perfect. Just don't tell anybody

BajaRat - 10-6-2015 at 10:39 AM

Its about to get crazy first eve of the race........ Can't Sleep

rts551 - 10-6-2015 at 11:20 AM

going through on Thursday. I'll report after that.

As we get closer to 1000, expect more and more traffic.

CortezBlue - 10-6-2015 at 04:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551

There must be 300 workers and 50 pieces of heavy equipment working between the end of the pavement to within 5 miles of Laguna Chapala. Earth moving and bridges going in. They have also repaired the road somewhat although it is still primarily a 10 mph road. They moved quickly in the month I was not on the road.

We were on 5 coming down to SF and there were 3 blacktop crews working on 3 different areas putting down new asphalt. I told the wife it must be in expectation of many new cars and trucks taking the new connection.

bajagregg - 10-13-2015 at 11:02 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtnpop

mornin...
headin south in a couple of weeks and have not seen a recent update on progress from gonzaga to chapala...
Anyone done the trip in the last week or so or soon that can report on what if anything is better over the last 23 miles.????
any news is very much appreciated... we come from Colorado and this route is a big help to us... last trips we are carrying an overhead camper and its still better than the west route...
thanks

I was on this 23 mile stretch last week and can report that the road was OK. It took me an hour in my SUV. You will be amazed at all the construction activity.

mtnpop - 10-13-2015 at 11:28 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajagregg

Quote: Originally posted by mtnpop

I was on this 23 mile stretch last week and can report that the road was OK. It took me an hour in my SUV. You will be amazed at all the construction activity.

thanks so much,,, headed that way last week of Oct.. will be interesting to pass thru this time.. wanted to wait until the shrimp festival in Nov.. but then gotta contend with the race..

[Edited on 10-13-2015 by mtnpop]

rts551 - 10-13-2015 at 07:39 PM

As was stated heavy construction on the last 23 miles. took me 1 hour 45 minutes but I take my time. They surprised me with road base going down on the section in Laguna Chapala.

Whale-ista - 10-13-2015 at 09:16 PM

Copied from Talk Baja discussion, posted Oct. 12

Alternate Drive to/from Loreto - Update on Mex 5 Highway construction: Laurie and I took the alternate route up the Baja last week. Instead of driving Mex 1 to the border, we took Mex 5 which goes thru San Felipe. Supposed to save 3 hours to the border. A few interesting facts heading north (reverse read if you are headed south):
* The entrance to Mex 5 when going north is about 30 miles north of the turnoff to Bahia de los Angeles
* The entrance heads east, and is NOT marked "Mex 5", and does NOT note "San Felipe"... it is a small sign that says "Laguna Chapala".
* It is a dirt road for the first 22 miles (actually the last 22 miles of construction to be done, starting north to south). It is not a terrible road, but not great either. It was no problem for our little Toyota Rav 4.
* Take usual precautions for a remote dirt road... bring water in case of breakdown... ensure you have a spare tire and tire change gear.
* Around Mile 5, you will enter the construction zone... VERY interesting. It is mostly thru a canyon... tough construction environment!!!
* Lot's of bridges being built, amazing amount of dirt and rock being moved... it is worth driving this way just to see the construction.
* PHOTOS: The two photos are examples of a work camp (there are 6 of them) and the start of a bridge.
* Heading north, you will hit a beautiful brand new paved road... first class highway construction... wide lanes, big shoulder, long sweeping turns. 80mph felt slow on this road.... you could drive 120mph with no stress.
* Once you hit Bahia Gonzaga, SLOW DOWN!!! The older road between Gonzaga and San Felipe is pretty good in most places (not like the new part of the road), but there are some sudden dips at vados that will slam you to the pavement in the bottom and send you flying when you exit. These will take you by surprise... they sure did get us!
* From San Felipe to Mexicali, the road is great, no issues.
* The crossing into Calexico is easy and fast, no issues.
* Head north to I-8... OR, thru El Centro, past Salton Sea, to I-10.
* NOTE: Regarding time savings, excellent for anyone coming/going East (Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, etc)... not much time saved if you are going to San Diego or thru LA headed north.