Congressman Brian Higgins and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Monday that $12.455 million of federal funding will provide improvements to Buffalo Harbor.

"We would not have Buffalo Harbor State Park, we would not have the marina, we would not have Wilkeson Pointe and we would not have all of the recreational opportunities that are developing along the Outer Harbor without strong navigational infrastructure," Higgins said.

More than three-quarters of the funding will be used for north and south breakwater repairs.

The north breakwater was built in the early 1900s.

Higgins said it needs extensive repairs because of little long-term maintenance and damage sustained from ice and wave action.

The south breakwater was built in the late 1800s and last had major improvements in the 1950s.

Higgins said these improvements will complement the $121 million in investments to Buffalo Outer Harbor over past 10 years.

"Most recently, the project that you see coming in, which is under construction, it's a $5 million project creating bike trails and a great lawn scheduled to open this spring," Higgins said.

The project will also focus on storing sediment and making sure the waters are navigable.

"We can conduct dredging operations, make improvements to the dredge material storage facility and ensure strong, effective break waters," said U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Captain Henry Harpen.

Higgins said the projects should be completed within two years.