New Tunnel is Open!!

With so many projects going on in Puerto Vallarta these past few years it is hard to remember to talk about them all!  One of them is the behind the scenes on the less familiar Hwy 200 aka Libramiento that bypasses the Malecon.  It is mainly used by us daily travelers to the South Side and is much quicker than the more touristy streets through the center of town.
To my surprise the project was begun over a year ago as I never thought I would be around to see a 2nd portal being built on this road as the first one was probably built back in the 1970s.   It was certainly showing its age with leaks and decay, so I suspect the Federal government needed to address the situation as this road is the only way for truck traffic to proceed to the south of Puerto Vallarta.  They would never be able to negotiate the small streets through the center of town.  A new highway that bypasses all of Puerto Vallarta is still in the works and no one has a completion schedule, although I heard that the first 30 km of the 120 km was completed.
The new tunnel is much wider, higher, and even includes decent sidewalks on both sides.  The lighting seems to be temporary and of course no ventilation was installed, so it is quite smoggy during heavy traffic periods.  But all in all a great addition and will now allow for 4 lanes of traffic through the area, after the renovation work is completed on the old tunnel.  Enjoy it as I certainly do every day!!

Grand Opening of Los Muertos Pier!!

After many years and much angst the Los Muertos Pier opened this past January 4th, 2013 to much fanfare and celebration.  I was fortunate enough to see the whole thing from the comfort of Cuates y Cuentes the restaurant located right at the corner of the new pier.  I had been watching all the time the progress that was and was not being made on the pier that seemed to take forever.  As usual the funds to start the project were there and then 1/2 way through the funds ran out.  Luckily the State of Jalisco came to the rescue with the funds need to finish the project and so it finally came to be!
What a fantastic addition to the area and just another attraction not only for Puerto Vallarta, but for the Los Muertos Beach area!  With its modern architecture and sloping winding walkway to the grand sail-like structure in the center, it is quite a display.  It reminding me of such grand projects as the Opera House in Sidney, Australia or the Denver International Airport.  The added feature on this structure is the lighting.  With many different combinations of colored lights that allow the "sail" and the pier itself to alternate colors certainly makes it unique at night.  The have even created a spectrum that depicts the Mexican flag.
As usual the naysayers said it was not appropriate for Puerto Vallarta and the design was all wrong, but once they see it lit up at night........What can they say??
The evening of the Grand Opening Celebration was started with some Jazz entertainment (Beverely and Willow)  and then skydivers came in.  Turns out of the skydivers was the Director of Tourism for Puerto Vallarta!  The usual speeches by the government officials was followed by a 15 fireworks show right on the beach.  Then we had more entertainment by Xiutla Ballet, while the dignitaries enjoyed hors d'ouvres and cocktails on the newly inaugurated pier.   After their show the Jazz music resumed with a Latin Jazz band and the pier was opened to the public to explore.
While there were hundreds of people around to enjoy the festivities, I waited a bit to go explore it myself.  But after a while I ventured out and enjoyed the new structure and the views back to Los Muertos Beach.  Just Fantastic!
I am sure this new addition to the area will become a new visitors "Must See". It will certainly bring lots of people to that area helping the local businesses and may even increase real estate values.  Now is the time to buy as prices will probably never be this low again!