The 7.3-mile (11.7 km) highway forms part of a bypass around Casper and Mills, connecting WYO 220 in the south to U.S. Route 20 (US 20) and US 26 in the north.

[6] A western bypass of Casper to reduce truck congestion in the city and on WYO 220 was proposed by the local metropolitan planning organization in 1997 and was the subject of a feasibility study begun by WYDOT in 1998.

[12] The Casper City Council endorsed the West Belt proposal in July 2000, but requested that WYDOT improve its communication with residents on the project's impacts.

[19] The initial phase of construction to grade the highway was planned to begin in 2008, but was delayed to 2010 before being accelerated to a 2009 start due to funding availability.

[24][29] Following a fatal crash on the new highway six months after it opened, WYDOT installed rumble strips and lowered the speed limit at the Robertson Road intersection to prevent future collisions.

[31] Long-term plans call for up to 13 signalized intersections spaced 1⁄2 mile (0.80 km) apart on the highway to prevent unwanted congestion during industrial development of the corridor.