GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. -- It's a milestone three generations, countless meetings and one YouTube plea to the governor in the making: construction has begun to turn Grand Island's tolls cashless.

"After so many years of nothing, to get to a point where we have a substantial change going to happen that's going to improve the lives of the people who live on Grand Island and across Western New York, it's terribly exciting," said Grand Island Supervisor Nate McMurray, who spear-headed the push to remove the barriers.

"What it's going to mean for not just Grand Island but the region is lots of saved time for families," said McMurray. "It doesn't mean there's never going to be traffic jams—these are always going to be old bridges—but it's going to mean there will be far fewer traffic jams."

First up: shoulder reconstruction, sub-base replacement and installation of a new drainage system and asphalt.

According to the governor's office, there’ll be overnight and weekend lane closures within the next week as crews put in the driving surface for the new tolls. Anyone crossing onto the island from the south can expect to see work just before the Grand Island Blvd. exit. Coming into town from the north, that's going to be just before West River Pkwy. No major impact on commutes are expected, but McMurray does ask drivers to be patient during the next couple of months.

The drive across the bridges is part of daily life for many residents, and those who spoke to Spectrum News are taking the change in stride.

"I don't mind the tolls just the way they are, to tell you the truth, but it's okay to take them down," said resident Al Brame.

"Without the tolls, it'd be a lot quicker getting home, there'd be a lot less congestion," said Serena Buscaglia.

Work is expected to wrap up in March.