New Border Crossing - "El Chaparral"

[rgbeard]

Effective Nov 1, 2012, the Government of Mexico opened "El Chaparral", crossing on I-5 into Tijuana.

Friday afternoon we crossed this new border for the first time.

So, here's the skinny!!

1) You approach the border as normal, but then immediately on crossing the line, the traffic flow does a hard right turn (West) and you proceed (1/4 mile?) along the border, then make a hard left

2) The RIGHT lane is your friend. Where prior the left lane fanned-out, the right lane now does the fan out. It appears there will be 20 lanes vs. the prior 10 lanes.

3) stay to the right after crossing, and you'll see the Rosarito/Ensenada/Toll Road sign. It drops you right on to Internacional, and you're on your way

[kevin_stevens]

This is what all that construction has been about for the last couple of years?

KeS

[rgbeard]

Seems to be.

Just so funny that they spent all that $$$ on the most recent addition of four lanes at San Ysidro, and it was used for perhaps a year?

Wait til you see the new one. High tech / cameras, etc, up-to-par with the US crossing, and very nice looking.

Just be careful for a while, as people are learning it and may make sudden lane-change moves.

[stnkbg1]

Funny, crossing into mexico never seemed to be much of an issue, it's getting back that's a PITA.

[kevin_stevens]

Originally Posted by stnkbg1

Funny, crossing into mexico never seemed to be much of an issue, it's getting back that's a PITA.

Yeah, unless they are going to move the barrier to the return crossing west now and use that space for more return lanes...

KeS

[rgbeard]

In addition to the improved border crossing into Mexico the toll roads made a change.

Each one going to Ensenada is now the same price. Each of the three is now 30 pesos, the money in dollars was $2.45.

NOW - MOTOCYCLES PAY HALF PRICE !!!! (15 pesos each)

Going Northbound, just before the Rosarito toll booth you can now join the Boulevard 2000. A sign indicated that it's only accepting Pesos at this time.