Traffic will begin using the new southbound lanes on the Route 8/Mae West Bend project in Etna and Shaler after 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Temporarily, drivers will still be limited to one lane in each direction, one northbound and one southbound, "but it's good news because everyone will be on new pavement on their own side of the road again," Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spokesman Jim Struzzi said.

There is a chance that two lanes will be open in both directions by Sunday, but PennDOT isn't saying for sure yet. It depends on whether the contractor can finish installing sidewalks, curbs and barriers.

PennDOT started the $13 million project two years ago to straighten the bend and improve capacity and safety between Kittanning Street in Etna and Saxonburg Boulevard in Shaler.