CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — Elected officials announced nearly $9 million in funding has been secured to improve the three-mile stretch on Union Road from Walden Avenue to French Road.

"It's at a medium level right now, but by the time things get started for the repair and whatever, I'm sure we're going to be at that point where it needs to be done quickly," Diane Benczkowski, Cheektowaga town supervisor, said.

"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, and as a result, our cars, trucks and plows are all increasingly susceptible to damage from worsening potholes and roadway conditions," Tim Kennedy, (D) Senate - Buffalo, said.

Rep. Brian Higgins says a pothole is indicative of a broken road, and the money will be used to fix Union Road, not just patch it up.

"This is nearly $9 million to fix a broken road, which will also include sidewalks and curbs and American Disabilities Act compliance. These are life quality issues..." Rep. Brian Higgins, (D) 26th Congressional District, said.

The money is part of New York State's five-year Department of Transportation Capital Plan. That's not all the funding heading to the town, though.

"We're also announcing a record level of funding in this year's budget for the town of Cheektowaga," Kennedy said.

Kennedy says the town will also receive more than $500,000 consolidated local street and highway improvement program dollars, or CHIP funding, $125,500 for extreme winter recovery funds, nearly $150,000 through Pave New York Funds, and $98,000 to the Pave Our Potholes Program.

"This is historic funding,” said Kennedy. “This is funding that we've been waiting a long time to see come to fruition."

Assemblymember Monica Wallace says the average driver spends about $500,000-800,000 a year repairing their vehicles because of potholes.

"So these are important improvements that will not only invest in our community and make for a better driving experience, but it will save taxpayer money," Monica Wallace, (D) Assembly - Cheektowaga, said.

Work on Union Road is expected to begin in 2024.