The road, starting from the North Diversion Road (now known as the North Luzon Expressway) and ending at the current Magallanes Interchange with the Manila South Diversion Road (now known as Osmeña Highway and South Luzon Expressway), was finished in 1940 shortly before the outbreak of World War II and the subsequent Japanese Occupation. After the independence of the Philippines from the United States in 1946, the road was renamed Avenida 19 de Junio (June 19 Avenue), after the birth date of national hero José Rizal.