Cheektowaga, N.Y. (WBEN) - Nearly $9 million has already been committed to the Town of Cheektowaga for road repairs along Union Road starting in 2024.
State Senator Tim Kennedy, Congressman Brian Higgins and State Assemblywoman Monica Wallace joined Cheektowaga Town Supervisor Diane Benczkowski on Wednesday to announce a total of $8.95 million in funding for road resurfacing and pothole repairs along Union Road.
The funding was dedicated in this year's New York State Five-Year Department of Transportation Capital Plan, and will specifically target the stretch of Union Road between Walden Avenue and French Road, a roughly three-mile stretch.
In addition to pavement upgrades, the funding will also cover improvements to intersection crossings and pedestrian signals along Union Road.
"Over the years, we've secured millions of dollars to winterize and modernize our infrastructure to strengthen Western New York's roads and bridges so that, ultimately, we're strengthening our economy, as well. But as we all know, the brutal winters here in Western New York take a significant toll on the safety and the quality of our roads. As a result, our cars, trucks and plows are all increasingly susceptible to damage from worsening potholes and roadway conditions," said Senator Kennedy. "This funding is a commitment that directly addresses community concerns regarding the safety and quality of our roadways. We know that when we invest in our roads, we're ultimately investing in our workforce and our overall economy."
"This is infrastructure at its irreducible essence," added Congressman Higgins. "This is very personal for people, when they drive these roads, they hit potholes and they become very frustrated. It's incumbent upon all of us to secure monies that go from Washington to New York State right here to the Town of Cheektowaga to enhance greatly the life quality of this community."
In addition to the nearly $9 million committed to the Town of Cheektowaga on Wednesday, it was announced that more funding will be included for this year's budget. The town will also receive $551,000 for consolidated local street and highway improvement program dollars - CHIP funding - $125,500 for extreme winter recovery funds, $146,000 through Pave New York funds, and $98,000, to the Pave Out Potholes program.
In all, about $10 million has been committed for roads and infrastructure improvements all throughout the Town of Cheektowaga.
"Every year, Senator Kennedy and I fight to make sure there's adequate funding in CHIPS and this year with Pave Our Potholes, Extreme Weather Recovery and all the other programs that local municipalities rely upon to help with the upkeep of the repairs. That job was made a lot easier, thanks to the hard work of Congressman Higgins this year, bringing a tremendous amount of infrastructure dollars," said Assemblywoman Wallace.
While Union Road is actually in quite good shape for the time being, Benczkowski believes that any repair of a pothole is good, no matter how bad the roads overall may be.
"I think it's better to take care of it before it gets worse," said Benczkowski. "It's at a medium level right now, but by the time things get started for the repair, I'm sure we're going to be at that point where it needs to be done quickly."
Thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Law, New York State received over $2.2 billion in federal highway funding in 2022 to rebuild the state's roads and bridges. New York will also receive federal infrastructure funding in increasing amounts over the next four years.
More from Wednesday's press conference is available in the player below:
