Whether you live in the West End of Steubenville or just pass through it on a regular basis, you no doubt noticed a big change in traffic patterns Monday.

That’s when work officially began on the final phase of the Lovers Lane improvement project.

Construction will require the road to be closed from the roundabout at Fort Steuben Drive to Sunset Boulevard, which will have a big impact on traffic in and around the area through the anticipated completion date about eight months from now.

It’s a project that has been discussed for decades, going back at least to the mid-1970s, shortly after the Fort Steuben Mall was opened, according to City Engineer Mike Dolak. When it is completed, it will transform that section of road from what was essentially a country lane that has seen minimal improvements since it was first opened in the 1920s to a street that reflects modern standards.

The current 9.5-foot lanes will be replaced with 12-foot lanes, and a 5-foot-wide sidewalk will be added to the west side of the road. It will be safer for motorists and provide those who choose to walk a much better way than the current mud paths that stretch along both sides of the road and have been worn into the front yards of some residences.

Not so visible, but also of importance, will be the other work that will be completed as part of the project. That will include relocation of water and gas lines and the installation of storm sewer and underground storm detention systems. The completed road will have curbs and new signs will be installed.

Even though the final part of the project will cover just about 1,800 feet, the route to the new road has been long. The first phase — the roundabout — was completed in 2017. The second phase — improvements at the intersection of Lovers Lane and Sunset Boulevard — was finished in 2019.

Add up all of those improvements, and you will get a total of $6.2 million in construction costs. Throw in design and right-of-way acquisition, and you reach a total of around $8.5 million. The third phase, which is being constructed by the New Philadelphia-based Tuscon Inc., comes in at $2,660,579.28. That’s a sizable investment in the community, and includes a combination of federal funds allocated through the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission; grants from the Ohio Public Works Commission and the Governor’s Office of Appalachia; and the city’s 0.7 percent income tax.

Those improvements will come with some inconvenience. More than 10,000 vehicles use Lovers Lane each day, Dolak has said. Those who live in the affected area will have access to their homes — those who don’t will have to find alternative routes.

If possible, try to avoid the area for the duration of the project. Detours will be posted, and one of the most popular — which is not the recommended route — will be Bryden Road, which connects Sunset Boulevard to the portion of Lovers Lane which sits beyond the construction zone. Remember that Bryden is a neighborhood street, and not a high-speed thoroughfare. The posted speed limit is 25 mph. A reminder in the form of a temporary sign that clocks and displays the speed of motorists has been in use for several weeks now. It shines a bright light at eye level at those who go even 1 mph over the limit.

Depending on which direction you are coming from or are headed in, other routes will be available.

No matter which detour you follow, be respectful of those who live in the neighborhoods you will be passing through — it’s their home, remember — and your fellow drivers — some of whom likely will be unfamiliar with the layout of the streets.

The best advice, then, is to relax, allow yourself extra time when you must travel through the area and look ahead to Oct. 31 when, if all goes as expected, the Lovers Lane widening project will be completed.