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DianaT
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Update on Highway by Jesus Maria
As of a couple of days ago, work has not resumed yet----it is still a mess!
The diversion road going south is still awful---rocks, holes, soft areas one of the worst side roads we have ever seen. Slow and cautious.
Going north on the pavement---take it slow. We came across 4 Big Trucks using the pavement that is supposed to be only for the north bound traffic.
We were going slow and slowed down further. They did pull off on the torn up pavement to let us and other north bound traffic pass.
We hope that the new contractor will start soon!
[Edited on 11-5-2011 by DianaT]
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Bajahowodd
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Thanks for the update. As I mentioned in another post, this construction area has the potential for a major tragedy, what with a couple of blind
hills.
I'm guessing that given the remote location, it's not something that anyone will be able to complain about locally.
In my opinion, this is the absolute nastiest situation, outside of immediate storm related damage, that I've seen in more than two decades of driving
the Baja road.
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woody with a view
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yep! just be smarter than the signs and give way to the north bound traffic...
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Bob and Susan
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i was on the road monday night...
its pretty bad but passable if you drive SLOW
lots of people using the northbound lane going south
it's pretty dangerous if you are traveling south
just drive slow and you'll be fine
it's part of "the adventure"
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mulegejim
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody with a view
yep! just be smarter than the signs and give way to the north bound traffic... |
I came through there about 3 weeks ago going north and agree completely - go slow, move over and yield to the south bound traffic even though you may
have the right-of-way. It's a lot to ask for the big rigs to travel on the south bound dirt roadway as it is so rough. I really had no problems and
got through in a timely manner. I will say I came through in daylight and traffic was not very heavy. Almost all of the south bound traffic waved and
gave me a thumbs-up for pulling over and letting them through. I should add that I was driving a rather narrow vehicle - 2005 Toyota Tacoma PU. Jim
[Edited on 11-6-2011 by mulegejim]
[Edited on 11-8-2011 by mulegejim]
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RnR
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Just came through there yesterday with a truck and travel trailer. The detour is 3 1/2 miles long and really not that bad. Just go SLOW. Idled
through in first gear, at about 5 mph. No problems. Yes, that is 45 minutes to go 3 1/2 miles but no problems.
The detour at Maneadero is WORSE!. Albeit is only about 3/4 mile. The surface is much rougher.
Going the wrong way on the remaining pavement is not a good idea if you are wider than a car/truck, as in, motorhome or travel trailer. The torn up
lane is not full width. Saw two semi's trying to get by each other. They were definately having serious problems!
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Mulegena
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ill-managed area
Did not know or see posts that the single lane was reserved for north-bound traffic only.
I saw no flagmen and probably missed any signs cause of all the heavy, brown dusty flying around.
What I did on my recent drive south: going slow-- can't go fast luckily-- I saw a car coming from the south that I realized I would eventually meet
nose-to-nose, soooooo well in advance of the inevitable head-on liplock I pulled down onto the soft dirt shoulder where there was already a truck
traveling. From there and for the rest of the way I just followed the truck. When he went back up onto the "better" dirt roadway, so did I. When he
went back down off, I did the same, and so on until we were through this very dangerous and nasty area.
In retrospect I think it would be safer to simply stay off that higher middle lane and stay down in the dirt, going north or south.
I've traveled Baja for some 30 years and seen many changes to the highway.
Beyond "adventure" this is a totallly hairy few miles' drive, imo.
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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David K
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If you are in an SUV, maybe use the old road or better the gulf route (south from Bahia de Los Angeles to Vizcaino area)?
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PCbaja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
If you are in an SUV, maybe use the old road or better the gulf route (south from Bahia de Los Angeles to Vizcaino area)? |
You gotta be kidding
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Mulegena
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better informed is better prepared
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
If you are in an SUV, maybe use the old road or better the gulf route (south from Bahia de Los Angeles to Vizcaino area)? |
No, not a feasible option, I think.
Its only a few short miles and out in the middle of nowhere (it seems), but wow! its dangerous and seems to come on ya' quick-- suddenly the highway
is torn down to its underpinnings, one lane going in both directions, and there's no flagmen!
David, could you give us an expanded map of this area, please,
so we'll know where and can plan when to expect it?
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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DianaT
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Mulegena
In a previous discussion about this terrible section, rts555 said that he checked in Jesus Maria and the contractor had quit. That is why there is no
flagman or good markers or a decent graded side road.
But the people in Jesus Maria told him that the government was negotiating with another contractor so soon, we hope, work will begin once again and it
will make it A LOT safer.
For when you are headed home, the other routes really are not a very good choice, unless you want to delay your arrival. 
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by PCbaja
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
If you are in an SUV, maybe use the old road or better the gulf route (south from Bahia de Los Angeles to Vizcaino area)? |
You gotta be kidding |
I say an SUV (or truck) because 4WD may not be needed (at least on the east coast road)... This is only an option for those casually driving the
peninsula and not in a mad rush to CABO or some destination where they are spending their entire vacation (instead of taking in more of what Baja has
to offer).
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Bob and Susan
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the bad road is ONLY 3 miles...it's really no problem
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Mulegena
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
If you are in an SUV, maybe use the old road or better the gulf route (south from Bahia de Los Angeles to Vizcaino area)? |
No, not a feasible option, I think.
Its only a few short miles and out in the middle of nowhere (it seems), but wow! its dangerous and seems to come on ya' quick-- suddenly the highway
is torn down to its underpinnings, one lane going in both directions, and there's no flagmen!
David, could you give us an expanded map of this area, please,
so we'll know where and can plan when to expect it? |
I am on my son's laptop while watching the Chargers... I will see what I can show on dirt roads later...
The old road south leaves from the village of Rosarito where the highway curves west following the valley. The old road comes right close to the
highway near the El Tomatal road/ military checkpoint... then it heads to the middle of the peninsula at El Arco.
That route is probably best done in a 4WD and could add a day to your drive south! WHO'S in a hurry?
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
the bad road is ONLY 3 miles...it's really no problem |
Seriously? It sounded like 10-20 mile detour per another post I thought?
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bajabass
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I hit it northbound last Saturday and southbound yesterday. Be careful and it is fine! Use the north lane going south only in a high clearance
vehicle, if you need to jump down real quick, you can do so without damage. Other than that, BE CAREFUL!! You'll be OK.
After a good soaking from a nice storm Friday PM, the Maneadero stretch is a muddy nightmare. It will take a full day to make the Tundra white
again
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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Phil S
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David K. Were you serious about that comment???? Huh huh huh???????
Is that road good enough to drive for you to comment about itf? When we're talking about only 3.5 miles of construction?
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Bajahowodd
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As I've stated previously, the real problem arises at a couple of the hills. It's fine to play chicken on a one lane road that is straight and flat. I
am really concerned, however, that some idiot might be going too fast as they approach the crest of one of the hills and "bingo!"
To be perfectly clear, there is a marked detour for Southbound drivers that puts them on a very poorly maintained dirt side road with large rocks,
soft earth and no shoulder. The as yet unaffected single lane paved road is for Northbound drivers. I'm just a tad concerned reading that someone
posted here that they didn't even notice the detour.
Given the potential for catastrophe, it really doesn't matter whether this detour is 1/2 mile or ten.
And, the snide comment about folks in a mad rush to Cabo merely shows someone's total ignorance when it comes to safety.
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DianaT
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What type of vehicle one is driving does make a very big difference and yes, it is doable---we have crossed over it 4 times in the last few weeks.
Main purpose here was to warn people it is STILL there, the new contractor has NOT started work yet and everyone will need to make the decision where
to drive going south on their own----both ways have their major pitfalls.
Be very careful and do slow down.
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
I say an SUV (or truck) because 4WD may not be needed (at least on the east coast road)... This is only an option for those casually driving the
peninsula and not in a mad rush to CABO or some destination where they are spending their entire vacation (instead of taking in more of what Baja has
to offer). |
And DK---yes, some of us are in a hurry to get to our Baja or US homes and cannot add an extra day to our journey. Everyone has their own way of
enjoying Baja----none are better than others and it is ALL the real Baja. Some people really love Baja and really dislike the back dirt roads. It is
why some of our Baja friends do not come out to our area.
On edit---Howard since you were there, all the makers have been knocked over---not a good thing
[Edited on 11-7-2011 by DianaT]
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David K
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Seriously...? JUST talking options for people who are NOT in a hurry to get to their spot. This is a Baja discussion forum... usually... well,
sometimes!
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