PERINTON, N.Y. (WROC) -- The Bushnell's Basin exit was already closed down Tuesday, as work gets underway this week for a major replacement of two bridges on I-490. The New York State Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) announced this week the start of a $60.8 million bridge replacement projec t in Monroe County. One bridge sits over the Erie Canal, the other, just a stone's throw away over Kreag Road in the Perinton-Pittsford area. "Both these bridges are around 80 years old, built in the 1950's so they've reached the point where they're beyond their useful life and need to be replaced," says Chris Reeve, NYS D.O.T. Regional Director. (WROC/Isabel Garcia) According to the D.O.T., the project calls for the original, three-span structures to be replaced with modern, single-span, integral abutment bridges that will not require joints, bearings, or piers, thereby reducing long-term maintenance costs and boosting sustainability. A new concrete barrier will be constructed in the median and a new drainage system will be installed. Existing culverts will also be cleaned and repaired. During the construction period, D.O.T. has plans for drivers to utilize what's called a 'zipper merge' system, also called a late merge. It's a little different than what commuters may think of it as a more familiar type of flow for traffic amid construction zones and requires a more intentional pace on the road. "We understand the traveling public is used to merging when they start to see signs for a work zone and that a lane is closed. How a zipper merge is different is we want vehicles to use both lanes -- it's okay to use both lanes right up to the merge point and then join into one lane. It's not a left lane merging into a right lane: it's two lanes merging into one lane at a specific point," Reeve says. AAA Communications Specialist, Mark Gruba, emphasizes the need for proper preparation as the construction project begins. "It's not one lane merging into another - it's two lanes merging into one, like a zipper, right and I think the key here is just patience," says Gruba, adding, "The most important thing for drivers is to slow down, obey the signage on the roadway and don't be distracted while behind the wheel."Some local commuters, while excited about the finished project and understanding the necessity, describe feeling wary about the changes. "It makes me a bit nervous. It's a congested area. I'm thinking about all the commuters there, and it's a lot to go down from three lanes to one," says Dianna Guerrin who lives in Rochester and travels daily through I-490 in the Pittsford area. "I'm glad to hear they are upgrading the infrastructure and doing the needed repairs, but I'm just worried about drivers and getting where we need to on time," she adds. "Those commercial vehicles and commuters that are used to using that corridor, I suggest that you plan ahead, give yourself extra time, or plan a different route potentially, there are a lot of other different routes in the Rochester area - it may be a longer route in distance but might be shorter in time because this corridor during construction will have delays," Reeve says. "It's critical that drivers pack their patience - recognizing that it may take longer to get to their destination, they may even arrive a little bit late from time to time because they're stuck in traffic -- understanding that's going to happen, not letting that be something that gets you into a road rage situation, gets you impatient behind the wheel and making a decision that puts your safety or someone else's safety in danger," adds Gruba. How are those driving with suspended licenses further punished after Angelica’s Law? Work on this project is expected to last for the duration of the 2025 construction season. The westbound bridges, heading into Rochester, will be replaced during the 2026 construction season but NYSDOT expects to maintain two lanes of travel in each direction during this period.  All work is expected to be completed by the fall of 2027. ...read more read less