Chagnon, the chairman of the county Legislature, was one of many local and state officials who gathered in Bemus Point on Tuesday afternoon for the announcement that the state was going to be doing a $78 million rehabilitation of the bridge, which goes over Chautauqua Lake, connecting the towns of Ellery and North Harmony.

Marie Therese-Dominguez, state Department of Transportation commissioner, was in attendance to announce the project, which is expected to begin this summer take four years to complete.

Therese-Dominguez noted that the project includes work on the four separate structures that make up the bridge. “It’s going to enhance safety, it’s going to ease travel and it going to extend the service life of these bridges by another 40 years,” she said.

Therese-Dominguez said as part of the project they will be addressing the 4,000-foot main bridge that crosses Chautauqua Lake, and the two 500-foot-long bridge structures that split off on the eastern end of the main bridge.

New York state has announced that will be rehabilitating the bridge over Chautauqua Lake. Work will begin next month and be finished by the fall of 2026.

“These are going to receive new concrete bridge decks, bridge barriers, bearings, and steel repairs,” she said.

The fourth bridge structure that carries the westbound Southern Tier Expressway ramps to Route 430 will also be resurfaced and receive new bridge joints.

Therese-Dominguez said the initial work will focus on creating crossover lanes to move traffic during future phases.

The plans are for one lane of traffic in each direction to be maintained during the bulk work of construction. There will be occasional overnight bridge closures that will occur as well. “It’s going to take a lot of patience but in the end I think it’s going to be well worth it,” she said.

The work is expected to wrap up in the fall of 2026.

Gov. Kathy Hochul was not in attendance but issued a statement about the project.

“To ensure that our communities and our economy in all regions of the state continue to grow and prosper, New York state is making investments to strengthen and harden our infrastructure to meet and exceed the challenges of the 21st Century,” she said.

State Sen. George Borrello, R-Irving, noted that Hochul has crossed this bridge before and is familiar with its need. “She is no stranger to Chautauqua County, no stranger to Chautauqua Lake and she knows the importance of it,” he said. “She understands the impact that it has and I want to truly thank her for investing in infrastructure around Chautauqua County, particular, this major, major investment in this bridge over Chautauqua Lake.”

County Executive PJ Wendel said he remembers as a 12-year-old when the bridge opened, saying that allowed children his age to get to Midway Park even quicker. “It was a God-send to children of all ages,” he joked.

Wendel recognizes there will be headaches during repairs. “We ask everybody for their patience for the next couple of years,” he said.

Chagnon called Tuesday a momentous day. “What a wonderful opportunity to reflect over the experience that this bridge brought to the community,” he said.

Bemus Point Mayor Jeff Molnar said the bridge work will impact the village, but they recognize the need for the work. “We know there’s going to be some bumps in the road, but we’re prepared and ready to work around it,” he said.

Officials said construction will be underway by July.