PITTSBURGH -- Drivers in Pittsburgh's West End will have to get used to a new traffic pattern on Tuesday.

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials said that drivers will now be able to travel through the "Hole in the Wall" on Saw Mill Run Boulevard.

"We're going to open the proverbial 'Hole in the Wall' to northbound traffic on Saw Mill Run Boulevard. Essentially, you'll have two lanes of traffic traveling through the West End intersection onto the West End Bridge and into the city. [It's] the first time people have been able to do that in 50 years," said PennDOT spokesman Jim Struzzi.

The change means traffic on northbound Route 19/51/Saw Mill Run Boulevard will be able to continue straight under the Norfolk Southern Railroad overpass and onto the West End Bridge.

The new northbound roadway is now open. Crews will be working at the intersection with the West End Bridge throughout the day. Southbound traffic on Saw Mill Run Boulevard through the underpass was opened last year.

The work is part of the $52.6 million West End Improvement Project. Construction is due to finish this summer.

PennDOT officials said the new traffic pattern will be a "significant" change for drivers and that those travelling in the area should use extra caution.

For the latest Traffic updates, visit WTAE's Traffic Pages.

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