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redhilltown
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Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
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Road to Gonzaga/Chapala: Why/How/Who?
I hope this isn't repeating a thread but I just got back from the "road" to Gonzaga/Chapala and with all the construction I can't help thinking: Huh?
They are doing a great job...millions of dollars being spent. This is no San Felipe to Puertecitos road that will be washed out with next major
weather event: this seems to be well done and thought out. But why? Where is the money coming from? Bang for the buck, how can this be rationalized
(ooops, I know that is a tricky word down there) to the taxpayers of Baja? Unless someone has HUGE plans and already has money invested, I don't get
it. Millions will be spent for a nice road to a place that has little water and is virtually impossible for large development. Just wondering if
anyone has a clue.
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Gonzaga Bay is beautiful and one of the last places to be reached by paved road that can be exploited. There are also minerals to mine and years ago
it was reported that a pier was going to be built in the bay to load the ore... Once the new, high quality highway gets put through to Chapala from
Puertecitos, that road to San Felipe will need to be re-done with the stupid dips all taken out... (IMO, jdt)
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
(IMO, jdt) |
Good, you are learning. 
redhilltown,
The rumors about who has invested in the Gonzaga Bay area are interesting. My favorite is that the wife of the ex-President, Vicente Fox had invested
in that area. But those types of rumors are everywhere. In our area, gees, at one point, it was said that Carlos Slim was buying San Roque.
I think that besides potential development of that area, that road will serve commerce from the mainland down south. That is where maybe the
taxpayers will benefit--just one of the things I have heard.
It is such a beautiful place---one of our favorites in the winter. Enjoy it now---how far has the new road gone at this point in time??
Diane
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Barry A.
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Location: Redding, Northern CA
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"The dips" on the road between San Felipe and Puertecitos are ever so much cheaper to maintain than a system of culverts and bridges needed to replace
them will be, and that is the logic ("stupidity"??) behind them. In addition, the construction cost of building bridges and culverts is enormous, and
in this desert environment will be destroyed as often as tropical storms come thru. I have long been an advocate of "Texas Crossings" rather than
culverts and bridges in this type of environment unless the road is truly built to be "high speed", and there is money to sustain it---------it just
makes economic sense.
Barry
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bajamikey
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Location: Newport Beach,CA/San Josa Del Cabo
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Mood: baja with a cold pacifico
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about 25-30% of the truck traffic on hwy 1 north of chapala will be on hwy 5 when they finnish(if,when,maybe,i don't know) the road. last february i
ask coco about the road going by his corner, he said that the road would be going 5km or 5 miles i forgot which one to the west of his corner
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redhilltown
Super Nomad
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Diane, the road work has progressed as far as Black Mountain. Not the paving but the grading and supplies are even a bit south of there. I think the
actual paving is up to Campo Costilla.
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Cypress
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 Progress has it's pro's and it's con's. Coco's corner will be a hotel
complex, with food, fuel, and everything to meet a travelers needs.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
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JDT. No this is not from when I was a little kid. It was from last month. Gives you an idea of how much equipment they are using.
[img] [/img]
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
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If it's gonna happen (the road to Gonzaga) then it will happen. I beleive the Mexican people will appreciate the smooth pavement as opposed to
destroying their vehicles on the rough dirt road just to get gas and groceries.
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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Hook
Elite Nomad
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Location: Sonora
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I gotta get down there. Havent been since the late 80s.
I expect we can call the Three Sisters the Three Amigos by now, huh?.
[Edited on 4-21-2009 by Hook]
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
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Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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In a country that has a dedicated Federal agency to name bridges and culverts? Por supuesto!
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
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Location: Redding, Northern CA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cypress
Progress has it's pro's and it's con's. Coco's corner will be a hotel
complex, with food, fuel, and everything to meet a travelers needs. |
-------and the water for this "complex" will come from where?????
Barry
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David K
Honored Nomad
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They could run a pipe over the mountain from Calamajue... plenty of water there... it just isn't drinkable! 
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65306
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajamikey
about 25-30% of the truck traffic on hwy 1 north of chapala will be on hwy 5 when they finnish(if,when,maybe,i don't know) the road. last february i
ask coco about the road going by his corner, he said that the road would be going 5km or 5 miles i forgot which one to the west of his corner
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It gets real rocky and hilly west of Coco's. The old Chapala-Gonzaga road is about 2 miles west of Coco's and it follows the El Camino Real for a bit
before moving east, then north to Las Arrastras. The ranch is on the old road, west of Coco's...
Here is a satellite image of the area from when I was plotting the El Camino Real trail. Every pin 'ECR' marks where I could see the trail, from
space...
[Edited on 4-22-2009 by David K]
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
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Smooth Sailing (driving) Soon
I just spoke with a friend who returned yesterday from his home in Gonzaga. Work on the road fast and furious with lots of construction equipment
involved. A new Batch Plant being built. He said he wouldn't be surprised if it were finished to Gonzaga by Fall. Provided the money holds out.
Cellphone towers rumored to follow.
Cool.
Glad that I made the drive many times in the 70s, but looking forward to a Smooth Cruise.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6700
Registered: 9-5-2003
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I agree with Mr Bill. For Arizona residents Paving this road will cut off 200 miles(and major traffic) off our trip... I know good roads, bad
people.... guess I am just bad.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
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It'll still be an adventure, paved or otherwise.
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
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Baja Paradise
I'll say that they've arrived when the Arby's goes in. The road may no longer be an adventure, but it'll be fun.
If I want memories, I'll look at my photos and Super 8 taken in the 70s.
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Bwana_John
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Registered: 10-17-2007
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| Quote: |
He said he wouldn't be surprised if it were finished to Gonzaga by Fall
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I would be very suprised to see it get to Gonzaga by fall 09.
It took a year to get around Puertocitos, and another 6 months to get to 5 miles.
They are doing a good job; real cut-and-fill, banked curves, shoulders, and curbs!
Even after the 3 Questas they have to worry about flood conntrol across the aluvium.
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
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Quien Sabe ?
But, is there any word on the Arby's ?
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