Joco bypass

[alphacat]

Is it open both ways? Thanks.

[FHBOY]

As of yesterday afternoon - no.

[doberwoman]

It will take tooooooo llllllloooooonnnnngggggggg........

[chartiec]

open but very long way to Guad

[lcscats]

open but very long way to Guad

We have time and it is painless.

[Mainecoons]

Also the best way to get to the new Costco on Lopez Mateos Sur.

[ComputerGuy]

It's taken a while, but the return overpass certainly looks like it's not too far from completion. The interesting thing is the bypass itself seems to be being neglected, with many areas of falling rocks, and no protective support (screening) against falling rocks in certain obviously key spots.

[thevalerieleigh]

Considering the incredible number of topes between Ajijic and the Bypass, I have written it off as a viable option to get to GDL. The last time I did it, it took me an hour to get to the Costco and Mega Store whereas I can get to the Costco and Gallerias via Lazaro Cardenas in 50 minutes usually and without the pesky topes.

Valerie

[Mainecoons]

Yes, it is definitely taking longer because of the tope obstacle course these days. However, we personally prefer the Lopez Mateos Costco as it is larger and free of parking congestion, and we can eat our pizza or hot dog inside.

[ComputerGuy]

Heading to the coast, though? A much better ride. They even widened part of that scary mountain road that drops you off into the lake way down below on a rainy, slippery night.

However, as with all road works projects, we are left scratching our heads at the parts they did not widen: between Joco and near the little town of (Acatlán de Juarez?) there is a stretch that is still extremely narrow, with no sign that that will be changed; and up the mountain before and after the newly widened part, it still needs double lanes, but again no indication that will happen.

[hkrause]

We were on the bypass earlier this week. Going from Lakeside to Guad is open but somewhat treacherous... watch out for rough road surfaces, construction/repairs, rocks and debris on the road. However, it's totally passable if you're careful (I wouldn't try it in the dark - and when we used it this week there was a herd of cattle being moved along there).

We have seen vehicles coming the opposite direction, even though the overpass isn't open yet. Looks like the road surface is down now, but they're still working on the sides and details. Progress, but slow. I suspect the cars coming the other direction are going "backward" up the ramp from the side of the road going to Guad (we saw someone doing this before). So be careful there, too.

Since we live on the west side of Ajijic, going that direction into Guad is convenient and a pretty straight shot with little confusion, so we like it. Also enjoy going to the outlet mall along the same road. A little beyond Costco/Mega it's easy to hit Home Depot and Office Depot (and lots of other stores). And we can get back home without the GPS.

Heather

[gringal]

The road to Costco from Ajijic is a driving experience that has benefited the folks at Lakeside Express where I am concerned. Soooo much easier, but then, I just want the stuff, not the shopping experience.

[Mainecoons]

They also go up the ramp the wrong way.

[TioBob]

Lazaro Cardenas is the best if not only expressway in Guadalajara. I don't believe there is a single stop light all the way to Costco. That makes it faster and safer than the other stores route. I've shopped in both stores and I don't remember one having more merchandise than the other. As far as fine dining, I got the impression that Lakeside gourmands liked to dine alfresco.

While I like the fastest way home, safety is the most important factor. Cross traffic and undivided opposing traffic is a killer. I want to live to open my purchases. For those that can't live without the new store how about taking the periferico to Lopes Mateos and travel the short distance to Costco. This is not a humble opinion.

[Joyfull]

Lazaro Cardenas is the best if not only expressway in Guadalajara. I don't believe there is a single stop light all the way to Costco. That makes it faster and safer than the other stores route. I've shopped in both stores and I don't remember one having more merchandise than the other. As far as fine dining, I got the impression that Lakeside gourmands liked to dine alfresco.

While I like the fastest way home, safety is the most important factor. Cross traffic and undivided opposing traffic is a killer. I want to live to open my purchases. For those that can't live without the new store how about taking the periferico to Lopes Mateos and travel the short distance to Costco. This is not a humble opinion.

i agree with you Bob. We live in West Ajijic and find the quickest way to Costco on Lopez Mateo is the Chapala Highway and Periferico. If you need to go to Home Depot it is a quick right on Lopez Mateo, then go south to Costco. Sunday mornings is our favorite time to go.

[lakeside101]

everybody has an opinion and preference. doesn't make anyone else's wrong.

[alphacat]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. Guess we have to be patient for that route to be completed!

[Ezzie]

i agree with you Bob. We live in West Ajijic and find the quickest way to Costco on Lopez Mateo is the Chapala Highway and Periferico. If you need to go to Home Depot it is a quick right on Lopez Mateo, then go south to Costco. Sunday mornings is our favorite time to go.

Ditto as well. For those of us east of Wal-Mart and the Chapala area, this is by far the fastest way to Costco, Mega, Home Depot, etc. The Periferico does have a couple of stop lights and a lot of heavy truck traffic but if you are patient, it gets you there easily.

[Fred Habacht]

The traffic cameras on the road back to Chapala...will probably impact your route when your plates come up for renewal. Few people get the tickets by mail but find out they owe when they pay their yearly car tax.

[MtnMama]

After watching them build the Joco bypass, we take the Chapala > Guad Hwy and drive through Tiajomulco and then to the new Costco. Topes are less intrusive and it's a pretty drive.

[RVGRINGO]

We also prefer that route: Highway toward GDL to the La Barca overpass, then take the first retorno.

Turn right immediately before the big 24 hour burrito restaurant and take that road, through a couple of interesting villages and past a little lake with a beach and restaurant, and it will feed onto the four lane road through Tlajomulco.

Follow that road to the big green Guadalajara sign, veering off to the right, which will take you to Mega, Costco, etc.

On returning, note that you will have to take a right and do a quick retorno to get back on the Tlajomulco highway.

[Mainecoons]

There used to be a jillion topes on that route. Did they remove some of them?

It is a nice drive but was a bit of a tope hell as you approached Tlajomulco.

[mod-3]

I think we have done enough wandering around here. The OP was about whether or not the Joco bypass was open in both directions. Now that we know it's not and also know everyone's favorite way to go to Costco without using the bypass, I guess we can close the thread. Closed.