PaulW - 11-11-2016 at 09:30 AM
Made the round trip yesterday. Her are some observations.
End of pavement is now marked just past Km170
Followed a pickup northbound and when we stopped at Coco's the pickup was there delivering beer and water. Drove to Gonsaga and when we left there
was the pickup again making a delivery at Rancho Grande.
Gonsaga restaurant is being completely redone. Tables and service are outside during the renovation. The hotel sports a new paint job. Security is
tight for entry.
About the dirt section.
Lots of places where one cannot discern between the new road and the old go around. So we found ourselves on significant stretches of great smooth
road.
The big 18 wheeler's going N & S were using the new section as well. The big push at this time is creation of road base and placing it on the side
of these new road sections.
Passed two rigs hauling bridge beams heading south to another major bridge under construction.
The contractor has still not made any progress in cutting down the various mountains where the new road will be located. Looks like it will take years
to do that effort.
David K - 11-11-2016 at 10:24 AM
Thanks Paul....
Gonsaga? That's new! 
BajaUtah - 11-11-2016 at 11:24 AM
I did the same down 3 weeks ago and back last week. It really feels like half the dirt distance from Gonzaga to Coco's is on new, graded road bed and
about a mile of it on the Chapala flats side. Lots and lots of heavy equipment all over the place. The rough stuff felt rougher than I remember it but
there sure is a lot less of it.
I was held up northbound for about 20 minutes as the same type of big bridge spans as Paul saw (i'd assume) were being run up the narrows in the
canyon. No room for me and 3 50' concrete beams in the twisty parts .
Just a guess but I'd say new asphalt from Gonzaga to Coco's by summer 2017. Anyones guess on how long the canyons will take but there are a lot of
culverts and bridge parts in place
wilderone - 11-12-2016 at 08:08 AM
Wonder how that will affect Coco's roadside establishment. Need to move his quirky fencing? Road traffic whizzing close by? The end of an era.
David K - 11-12-2016 at 11:55 AM
The highway is being built about 3 miles west of Coco's, so the noise of traffic won't disturb his sleep. Off roaders will still visit and pass
enroute to Calamajué.