Durango to Mazatlan Highway

In late June 2009 what is the current situation on the Highway from Durango to Mazatlan? How much of the old road is left and what is construction activity?

I rode it in December 08 and it seemed fine. There were bits that looked like construction had recently finished as there was no lane markings but other than that it was a lovely road although very curvy.

You've been on it more recently than I have, certainly. Maybe Gustavo will pipe up- he can probably get us updated status on it.

Just be careful, the trucks LOVE to cut the corners on that road, and in some cases they must cut the corners to even make the turn. Be prepared to come to a complete stop and/or ride off the edge of the road if necessary- we certainly had to do both of those.

If you are asking about the new cuota highway, it's a long way from being finished. Current estimates put the opening sometime in 2012. To do that, the large bridge project (El Baluarte) has to be done by next summer. I am not sure it will.

In any case, even when it opens, the old road will stay exactly as it is plus some new intersections with the new road and minus a large amount of traffic which will no doubt opt for the faster and shorter cuota road (according to the SCT, it should reduce the average travel time between Durango and Mazatlan by 3.5 hours). Perfect, as far as I am concerned.


Gustavo

PS - Yes, I'm still alive, just a little busy...

I second Gustavos comments. I road it for the second and third time in May. Do not miss this road if you can help it at all!!

I rode it twice in March and there are parts of the Cuota completed and new construction open around Saltillo. The trucks and buses weren't quite as bad as they were in February of 08.

One of the twistiest roads I'e been on. Do it. Awesome scenery.

Take a trip up north for once, it's really nice here in the summer you know...

Sorry for the hijack. OK, no I'm not...

Gustavo

There's some sections of the new road that seems to be open, but they are really traspassed by locals. Just follow the signs or you could end in a dead-ended part of the road.

ATE88 and I did this road a week ago and it is up there as one of the favourites of our trip so far.
Great pot scraping bends when you are not taking in the scenery. Try and stop at the knife edge. There is a Mexican name for it but I cannot remember it. Easy to miss but worth stopping for.
There was little traffic compared with the roads we are used to in the UK so the odd lorry was not an issue.
Enjoy.

Hint:




Gustavo

I'll see that pic and raise you a few.


That was a fun road.

OK, you are on.


Espinazo del Diablo - it's where you meet friends that are wandering in Mexico (you do not want to meet the trucks in the background so much):



Gustavo

Oooh, a picture thread

The mystery of the fog...

I'll raise you.



Sweet chick fight at a gas station

This restaurant was near El Salto (I think just out of the town before El Salto) on the left side heading out of Durango and really good

No clue why there was a large carcass with empty beer cans hanging on it.

Yeah, you're right with this instructions. Also, I need to say when you stop to let truck drive in the corners, be aware back to you because cars upcoming...

Sorry my poor english, I'm from Durango Mex.


See you!

we did the road from Mazatlan to Durango about 6 months ago on a Harley,it was awesome!
Beware the trucks barrelling down the hills, taking corners on the wrong side of the road, El Salto is an interesting overnight stop if you fancy one.
Durango was a bot odf a dissappointment, bvut getting there was fab. The road is sweet!!
Enjoy!

Huh. We loved Durango..

In the last few months the City of Durango converted a major street in the centro into a pedestrian mall and they have been restoring a lot of colonial buildings in the centro. These improvements have made Dgo a noticebly better place to spend time.

Saludos

SR