For decades, lawmakers have discussed what to do with Buffalo's Skyway, with little to no progress over the years.

But as the state announced the winning ideas Tuesday to reimagine the bridge over Buffalo's waterfront, optimism ruled the day.

"Is it going to be hard to take it down? Yes. Yes. But I have news for you: No great accomplishments are easy," Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-NY, said.

The competition's winning proposal, "City of Lights," suggested removing a portion of the structure over the city's waterfront while maintaining the bridge for pedestrian and bicycle use. It also proposed new infrastructure like a lift bridge and street extension to mitigate traffic concerns.

The group that submitted the proposal, from Rochester, will take home a $100,000 prize, but said they're also excited to see it through.

"We've cared about this community for a long time and we recognize what a great potential the waterfront has to add to the whole community," City of Lights team member William Price said.

The state said the final project could cost as much as $600 million. The winners estimated theirs at $330 million.

"We can only guestimate right now so I wouldn't even want to speculate as to what that will cost," Rep. Brian Higgins, D-NY-26, said.

The administration said it is typical for 80 percent of the funding for a project like this to come from the federal government with a 20 percent match from the state. Higgins, a longtime Skyway critic, is confident his office can help secure the money.

"We can come up with a cost effective, life-enhancing and economic alternative," he said.

The governor's office pledged $10 million Tuesday to fund an environmental impact study immediately. It's expected to take 24 months to complete and ultimately, participants said the final design isn't set in stone yet.

"Our plan is certainly part of the conversation," Scott Fisher, a member of the second-place team, said. "There was a competition. We respect that — really fun — but the community has to be involved in the decision what's going forward."

The winners believe the new infrastructure recommended in their proposal could be totally in place by 2026.

The second-place submission, “Skyway River Loop,” was submitted by a team from New York City and Buffalo and will receive $50,000, while a Washington, D.C.-based team will receive $25,000 for its design, titled “Queen City Harbor,” which came in third.

Earlier this year, Gov. Cuomo announced the national competition, looking for creative ways to reimagine the Skyway and find new uses for it.

What was once a major connector built in 1953 for truck traffic to small and large factories and steel plants, many of which have closed, now services daily commuter traffic from the southtowns.

The competition itself was open to individuals or teams representing the nation’s top urban designers, economists, planners and architects.