The purpose of the project is to increase capacity and improve safety and operations along U.S. 17 (State Road (S.R.) 15) from Lake Winona Road to S.R. 40. The project proposes to widen this segment of U.S. 17 from two to four lanes. In addition, drainage improvements and the addition of a shared-use path (along the right side of the roadway) will be included as part of this project.  The project also includes a new bridge over Deep Creek, as well as a wildlife crossing culvert. These wildlife crossings are approximately one-quarter mile south of the entrance to the Hear Island Conservation Area.

This project is a portion of the overall project approved in the 2006 PD&E study to widen U.S. 17 to north of S.R. 40 (FPID No. 410251-1).

Another segment, 410251-3, proposes to widen U.S. 17 south of Spring Street to Lake Winona Road.