6:07 p.m. Steel Valley to head to Wintersville

STEUBENVILLE -- A grant will allow Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority to run buses to Wintersville beginning sometime in 2010.

SVRTA Manager Frank Bovina told the Community Improvement Corp. board of trustees during its November meeting, held at the Jefferson County

Department of Job and Family Services Tuesday, the grant is the result of a variety of circumstances all coming together, including support in Wintersville.

Bovina said the pilot program would allow the buses to run for a year without the village having to pay from its coffers or with an additional levy. However, Bovina said continuing financing would have to be found during the year, including the possibility of Wintersville putting a levy before voters.

Bovina said an expansion of bus service to Wintersville has long been sought by the transit authority and makes sense because it would mean the contiguous communities of Steubenville and Mingo Junction and Wintersville could be connected by the buses.

Read Wednesday's Herald-Star for more about the potential transit expansion and the CIC meeting or visit www.heraldstaronline.com.

(Giannamore can be contacted at pgiannamore@heraldstaronline.com)