Mexico 1D: Scenic toll road that connects Tijuana, Ensenada collapses

[andy3175]

http://www.10news.com/news/scenic-toll-road-between-tijuana-ensenada-collapses-12282013

SAN DIEGO - Traffic between San Diego and Ensenada was detoured away from the southern end of the Baja California toll road Sunday, because a chunk of it collapsed towards the ocean following a series of small earthquakes and recent heavy rainfall. The collapse occurred at the Salsipuedes stretch of highway about 10 miles north of Ensenada.

The stretch of highway was reportedly fractured and sinking following a 4.6 magnitude quake Dec. 19, although it had not been confirmed that that quake caused the collapse, according to U-T San Diego. Parts of the scenic highway collapsed 300 feet toward the sea. No one was injured. The road had been undergoing a retrofit, and for years has been considered unstable.

The toll road, known as Highway 1-D, is closed from the La Mision toll gates to the San Miguel toll gates. Coastal traffic was detoured on the old free highway, Mexico 1. The closure was atop a cliff that drops several hundred feet into the Pacific Ocean, just south of the Costa Azul LNG station, owned by San Diego's Sempra Energy. The plant was apparently not affected. The closure was beyond Rosarito Beach, Puerto Nuevo and other popular tourist attractions near San Diego. Drivers could still get from San Diego to Ensenada via California 94 to Tecate and then south on Mexico 3.

Regards,
Andy

[andy3175]

This site has some additional pictures:

http://blogs.ocweekly.com/stickaforkinit/2013/12/tijuana-ensenada_scenic_highwa.php

The collapse happened at kilometer 93 just south of Salsipuedes following a magnitude 4.6 earthquake on December 20 along Federal Highway 3 between Ensenada and San Felipe. The road has been unstable for many years and was known for its rough surface and low speed limit; it slipped about a foot on December 27, and then collapsed nearly 350 feet in the early hours of December 28.

Drivers are being diverted off the toll road at La Fonda and directed onto the free road. The free road is a two-lane, very hilly and windy road with switchbacks; delays of one to two hours are being reported. Be very vigilant in the town of La Misión for speed bumps. The free road rejoins the transpeninsular highway at San Miguel, about 3 miles north of Ensenada. Travelers bound for the Valle de Guadalupe should turn left at the sign for the Ruta Vinícola off the free road, rather than going all the way to San Miguel and coming back on Federal Highway 3.

Another alternative is to cross the U.S.-Mexico border at Tecate and drive south on Federal Highway 3 through the Valle de las Palmas and the Valle de Guadalupe; this road is also under construction. Be careful in Tecate; the police are very strict about traffic laws.

A person answering the telephone at the State Directorate of Civil Protection (DEPC) in Mexicali, who refused to be identified, said that the road may not be finished collapsing, that repairs will not be able to start until after the rainy season, and they are likely to take a long time to complete.

Regards,
Andy

[cpzilliacus]

http://www.10news.com/news/scenic-toll-road-between-tijuana-ensenada-collapses-12282013

SAN DIEGO - Traffic between San Diego and Ensenada was detoured away from the southern end of the Baja California toll road Sunday, because a chunk of it collapsed towards the ocean following a series of small earthquakes and recent heavy rainfall. The collapse occurred at the Salsipuedes stretch of highway about 10 miles north of Ensenada.

Too bad.  This is one of the most-scenic freeways I have ever driven on.

And it's fun that the barrier tolls accept Mexican and U.S. currency. 

[agentsteel53]

I just drove the detour in both directions.  most of the freeway remains open - it's just the southernmost 20km or so that requires a detour onto old 1, which is a two-laner.  lots of trucks going over the mountains, but most of them are extremely civilized and will indicate when it is safe to pass them, so traffic doesn't move too critically slowly. 

[andy3175]

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/dec/16/ensenada-toll-road-reopening-landslide/

The southern portion of the Tijuana-Ensenada toll road, a major artery for tourism and commerce in Baja California that has been closed since a massive landslide last year, reopened on Tuesday (12/16/14) afternoon. ... The southern 20-mile stretch of the road has been off-limits for through traffic to Ensenada since a landslide on Dec. 28th led to the collapse of a 330-yard stretch at Kilometer 93, which overlooks Salsipuedes Bay. While the repairs have been taking place, travelers to Ensenada have been using a two-lane inland road that veers off at La Mision.