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Scottm

Oct 27, 2009, 11:08 PM

Post #1 of 5 (284 views)

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New Autopista

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The white-knuckle stretch from Monterey to Saltilo has now been bypassed with a beautifully engineered
toll road. Great scenery...you will want to take your time, just for the view.

PamelaDelafield

Oct 28, 2009, 3:59 AM

Post #2 of 5 (271 views)

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Re: [Scottm] New Autopista

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Is this the route on Bing Maps?

http://tinyurl.com/yzzr8ee

jerezano

Oct 28, 2009, 11:35 AM

Post #3 of 5 (217 views)

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Re: [PamelaDelafield] New Autopista

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Hello Pamela,

Probably not on any maps as yet. It was not even OFICIALLY open the last time I used it (October 7, 2009).

Nonetheless, on the ground it cannot be missed. At the bottom of the Saltillo Canyon going to Saltillo it is very clearly marked at its intersection with both the Monterrey Periférico and the regular highways. Toll booth there. At the top of the canyon the exit to Saltillo is also clearly marked but not sufficiently in advance so that the tight right turn to the exit comes unexpectedly. However that isn't really a problem except the necessity of paying another toll before the next exit to Saltillo if you should sail past the first exit.

At the top of the Saltillo Canyon going to Monterrey the new cuota is also very clearly and adequately marked. Toll booth there. No way you could possibly miss it. At the bottom of the Canyon the exit to the Monterrey Periférico and points north (toll booth there for continuing on into Monterrey) was properly signaled but we ran into trouble there on October 4, 2009 because the signs were covered by plastic. The plastic was being removed at the same time as we were being helped into the right lane. So that problem should have been removed.

The new cuota is a joy to use. It is cheap--prices were different going to Monterrey and then coming back to Saltillo-- but less than $50 pesos if I remember right. It is two and a half wide lanes each way most of the distance. Separated. Well worth the cuota. Some guard rails had not yet been installed.

jerezano.
Magna gasoline at frozen $7.72 p/l and at 3.785 liters/gal. and $13 p/dollar is now costing $2.25 dollars/gal. More pesos per dollar cheaper gas & viceversa.

PamelaDelafield

Oct 28, 2009, 1:28 PM

Post #4 of 5 (203 views)

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Re: [jerezano] New Autopista

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I think I understand your directions correctly. Going to Laredo from Guadalajara, will I use this new road going to Monterrey or is it just for entering and leaving Saltillo from Monterrey? I've read so many directions about how to get to Laredo I can't remember if I go through Saltillo or any of the directions except I know I head North East.

jerezano

Oct 28, 2009, 6:12 PM

Post #5 of 5 (185 views)

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Re: [PamelaDelafield] New Autopista

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Hello Pamela,

You asked:>>>Going to Laredo from Guadalajara, will I use this new road going to Monterrey or is it just for entering and leaving Saltillo from Monterrey? I've read so many directions about how to get to Laredo I can't remember if I go through Saltillo or any of the directions except I know I head North East.<<<<

I assume you will take the most heavily traveled route from Guadalajara to San Luis Potosí to Matehuala to Ramos Arizpe which is just on the Monterrey side (north) of Saltillo. But it doesn't matter if you take the Guadalajara to Aguascalientes to Zacatecas to Saltillo route. Either way you will find the new cuota autopista at the top of the Saltillo Canyon. You can't miss it either way you go since the two routes join there in Ramos Arizpe and then join again to the new cuota to Monterrey at the top of Saltillo Canyon.

Do you have a Guia Roji? All highways should be in there with the exception of the new cuota Monterrey-Ramos Arizpe-Saltillo or Matehuala. Perhaps the new bypass for Zacatecas might not be there either since it is still less than a year old.

Have a good trip.

jerezano.
Magna gasoline at frozen $7.72 p/l and at 3.785 liters/gal. and $13 p/dollar is now costing $2.25 dollars/gal. More pesos per dollar cheaper gas & viceversa.