Construction began in 1999 on the Merritts Creek Connector, a four-lane divided highway from U.S. Route 60 in Barboursville to WV 2 near Lesage.

The highway would bypass the existing two-lane County Route 19 (Merritts Creek Road).

In late 2003, work began on the final segment of the Merritts Creek Connector that extends from County Route 24 to WV 2 near Lesage after a long delay due to a lack of funding.

Later that year, it was revealed with new signs that the Merrick Creek Connector would be designated West Virginia Route 193.

On September 8, 2006, Governor Joe Manchin officially declared that the route would, in addition to its WVDOT designation, would also be named the "Big Ben" Bowen Highway after Ben Bowen, an area toddler who died from cancer.