Baja California - Mexico

Photos covering Mexico 1-D, Mexico 1-D in and around Tijuana from a roadtrip in May 2001. Thanks to Don Hagstrom and Kevin Trinkle for making this trip possible.

Most of the land north of the International boundary where Mexico 1 crosses from Tijuana to San Ysidro is undeveloped. This is because much of the land in the United States adjacent to the border is part of Border Field State Park. The state park encompasses the Tijuana River Valley, which is mostly wetlands and foothills as well as coastal estuary. The city of Tijuana, meanwhile, sprawls all the way to the border fence, offering a major contrast between the United States and Mexico at this point along the border. At this point, Mexico 1-D is no longer a toll road, and it rapidly transfers onto Tijuana city streets. The connection from there to the border crossing and Interstate 5 is a bit convoluted, as one must navigate city streets to reach the border. There was a proposal to construct a new border crossing at approximately this location into the United States, but the environmental sensitivity of the Tijuana River Valley and Border Field State Park prevented such a route from being constructed.

Kilometers along Mexico 1-D increase from Tijuana southward. The Zero kilometer post is the near the interchange with Mexico 2. Generally, there are not many reassurance shields, so the kilometer posts acts as reassurance markers.

Rosarito Beach is popular for its playas (beaches) and resorts. A popular weekend destination for Americans, it is also home to a vibrant night club scene. The community is also home to the large Presidente Juarez complex, a natural gas power plant located adjacent to the ocean. This power plant was upgraded from oil burning to natural gas. There are three separate units in the Presidente Juarez complex: Rosarito I built in 1963, Rosarito II built in 1991, and Rosarito III built in 2001. It produces 1,328 megawatts, which is enough to bring power to about 1.4 million homes. Some of this electricity is exported to the United States. Capacity for trans-border power transmission is 408 megawatts, but was forecast to increase to 2,400 megawatts by 2003. Power lines spanning Mexico 1D were constructed in the late 1990s. They made the news on September 27, 2001, because a short circuit along the line caused an extensive power outage in a swath across Baja California, including all of Rosarito Beach and most of Tijuana and Tecate. (Most of this information is courtesy of research in the San Diego Union-Tribune.)

The only reassurance markers for Mexico 2 between San Luis Colorado and Mexicali appear on kilometer posts, and on the overhead signage at intersections. Kilometers increase from east to west.

Northbound Mexico 1-D enters the city of Tijuana.

Southbound Mexico 1-D approaching Mexico 2 to Tecate. This is a very old sign and interchange. Taking this exit leads to Tecate and avoids most of Downtown Tijuana while Mexico 1-D leads south to the beaches and Ensenada.

Southbound Mexico 1-D immediately after the interchange with Mexico 2. The signage to the left is a rarity: the use of highway gothic font (lowercase) on a highway sign in Mexico. Most signs in Mexico use narrow and uppercase font. Note how "Scenic Road" is used as a control city for Mexico 1-D. Occasionally, "Scenic Road" is the lone designation used for Mexico 1-D on trailblazer signs, especially in Tijuana.

Welcome to the Scenic Highway. This marks the beginning of the 1D toll road, which continues south by Rosarito Beach to Ensenada.

View of the Pacific Ocean as seen from the southbound lanes of Mexico 1-D.

Freeway bridge along Mexico 1-D.

This photo shows a typical kilometer post along south Mexico 1-D. Kilometer Post 17 stands just north of Real Del Mar.

Southbound Mexico 1-D at the main exit to Rosarito Beach.

The toll road remains close to the coastline for much of its crouse between Tijuana and Ensenada.

Faded Tijuana sign on westbound Mexico 2 in San Luis Colorado, Sonora.

Leaving the state of Sonora, westbound Mexico 2-D enters Baja California. This colorful sign conveys thanks to the visitors of San Luis Colorado and wishes them a good journey.

Mexico 2 inspection station warning sign posted along westbound near the Sonora-Baja California Norte state line.

Westbound Mexico 1 reduces to one lane leading into the inspection station. This is the lone traffic restriction between San Luis Colorado and Mexicali.

Mexico 2 between San Luis Colorado and Mexicali. Most of this land would be desert, but irrigation transitioned it for farming and other agricultural uses.

Mexico 2 at kilometer post 15.

Distance sign to Mexicali (67 kilometers) along westbound Mexico 2.

Several signs along westbound Mexico 2 indicate the proximity to schools and other institutions. This sign indicates that a Student Crossing is 400 meters ahead.

Mexico 2 west at Baja California Route 2 south to Ejido Sinaloa. Mexico 2 intersects Baja California Route 2 at several intervals between San Luis Colorado and Mexicali.

Mexico 2 at Baja California Route 2 south to Ejido Mexico.

Mexico 2 at Baja California Route 2 south to Ejido Tehuantepec.

Mexico 2 at Baja California Route 2 south to Ejido Mezquital.

Mexico 2 at Baja California Route 2 north to Los Algodones (sand dunes).

Westbound Mexico 2 at the turnoff for Golfo de Santa Clara (Gulf of Santa Clara).

Most speed limits in Mexico are posted within a red circle on a square sign. The appropriate speed limit is shown within the red circle, similar to this sign on eastbound Mexico 2-D.

A large "Bienvenidos a Mexicali" sign welcomes motorists along westbound Mexico 2 entering the city of Mexicali. Mexico 2 partitioned into bypass and bypass routes.

Signage for the continuation of the bypass route of Mexico 2 around Mexicali.

Mexico 2 west and Mexico 5 north approaches the local version of Mexico 2 into Mexicali.

The Zero kilometer post for Mexico 5 stands near the intersection with Mexico 2. Signage for Mexico 5 was found near the border crossing.

Mexico 2-D distance sign for the toll road west of Mexicali.

Located prior to the beginning of the Mexico 2-D toll road, this sign directs motorists to a Pemex plant south of Mexico 2. Pemex is the national gasoline manufacturer in Mexico; it is the only source for gasoline in the country, since it is nationalized (owned by the Mexican government).

Monument signifying the beginning of the toll road as Mexico 2 transitions to Mexico 2-D west.

Monument signifying the beginning of the toll road as Mexico 2 transitions to Mexico 2-D west.

Distance sign to La Rumorosa, Tecate, and Tijuana along westbound Mexico.

This jurisdictional sign along Mexico 2-D west indicates the end of the "county" (municipality) of Mexicali and the beginning of the "county" (municipality) of Tecate. "Termina" means "end," and "Principia" means "begin."

The Mexico 2-D toll road traverse an area of stark desert valley on the approach to La Rumorosa Grade.

The Mexico 2-D toll road traverse an area of stark desert valley on the approach to La Rumorosa Grade.

Power lines along the south side of Mexico 2-D roughly parallel the toll road from Mexicali to near Tijuana via Tecate.

Signs along westbound Mexico 2-D remind motorists that slow traffic ("transito lento") should remain in the right lane. Other signs indicate that passing traffic should use the left lane.

Mexico 2-D west near the base of La Rumorosa Grade. Mexico 2 joins Mexico 2-D near the bottom of the grade, and the entire grade segment is free of tolls.

Westbound Mexico 2 / 2-D along La Rumorosa Grade.

Baja California – Mexico

Mexico 1 and Mexico 1-D

Mexico 2 and Mexico 2-D