It was paved as a temporary detour connecting the road from Sodom to the Petroleum Road [he], thus delaying the expenses of paving Highway 25 from Dimona to Be'er Sheva.

In May 1961, the northern section was closed for a while for repairs[6] and in 1963, the leaders of Dimona and Yeruham asked to renovate and expand it.

Remained there as a "souvenir" torn pieces of asphalt along the entire length, even without edges.

[14] In February 1973, a section of Highway 40 was opened from Mashabei Sadeh to Sde Boker and the passage on Route 204 became unnecessary.

[15] As a result, the Petroleum Road was closed and traffic to Yeruham passed on the northern section of Route 204.