Originally constructed as a two-lane highway in the early 1970s, it was expanded to a four-lane dual carriageway in the late 1970s.
The highway begins as a four lane expressway at the Southern Main Road interchange in Downtown Chaguanas.
After Couva, the highway continues south through a sparsely settled hilly area before meeting Cedar Hill Road, providing access to Claxton Bay and Tortuga.
It then passes the community of Macaulay, with partial access, and then Gasparillo with an interchange at Bonne Aventure Road.
As the highway nears San Fernando, it passes the Brian Lara Cricket Academy and Gasparillo Bypass Road, before providing access to Tarouba and the San Fernando Bypass at the Tarouba Link Road interchange.
After San Fernando, the first segment of the highway comes to an end soon after passing the Debe interchange, and terminates at a temporary roundabout upon meeting Gandhi Village Road.