CHARLESTON - A deadly stretch of U.S. 17 between Beaufort and Charleston will get more attention from the S.C. Highway Patrol.

Gov. Mark Sanford is expected to announce today the details of the state's plans to step up enforcement along the busy road.

The 22-mile stretch of highway in Colleton and Beaufort counties varies between two and four lanes and has been the scene of a series of serious accidents.

More than 448 people have been injured since 2001 along the road between Jacksonboro and Gardens Corner.

Last week, Bill Williams said he watched as the driver of a car in front of him on the highway died instantly in a head-on collision. He said he is encouraged to learn the state is reacting.

"I hope and pray that they will get something accomplished and work out some near-term solution," Williams said. "It will probably take two or three years for them to build a (wider) highway, but they need to do something to help right now."

The S.C. Transportation Department is seeking a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers to widen the Combahee River bridge to four lanes. If the Corps approves, that $9.5 million project could begin by December.

The state plans to seek further environmental permits for the widening project by January. That would mean construction could begin in 2007, if the state finds the $100 million to $200 million to pay for it.