After years of calls to knock down the Skyway, New York State has finally announced a plan to design an alternative.

Gov. Cuomo announced a national competition Thursday.

He wants firms, architects and urban planners from across the country to submit ideas for a new and connected Buffalo.

The winner gets a prize of $100,000.

The Skyway sees more than 40,000 vehicles daily, according to Rep. Brian Higgins.

Lawmakers have been advocating to knock down the highway because they say it blocks access to the waterfront.

“When they developed, they turned their backs to the waterfront. So much potential on the waterfront. Look at what we've done on Canalside. I mean it’s a national story, Canalside. Access the waterfront,” said Cuomo.

Higgins was one of the first to call for the Skyway's removal.

He says he believes the governor’s six month competition to find a designer is possible and the alternative would pay for itself.

“For the first time we'll have options to the Skyway, because these things weren't done before, you have a situation where we have no option other than to rehabilitate the Skyway, so with options we can look for a better way, the highest and best use that will accrue to the economic but life quality benefit of Buffalo and Western New York,” said Higgins.

Higgins believes the project could cost around $30 million.