TRUMBULL COUNTY House OKs bill to fund projects in Niles, Warren

The bill goes to a joint conference committee.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
WARREN -- The U.S. House approved a bill to provide $200,000 each to the Niles-Trumbull Transit System and the Warren Riverwalk.
The money was part of the $89.3 billion Transportation, Treasury and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act of 2004 approved Tuesday by the U.S. House by a 381-39 vote.
The appropriations still have to survive a House-Senate conference committee, which will work out the differences between the transportation bills approved by both chambers.
The funding for the Niles transit system will be used to study and implement a comprehensive, regional transportation system for Trumbull County, said U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, who submitted the two appropriation requests.
About the projects
Niles approved a $621,000 contract last month with Community Busing Services to provide demand-response transportation throughout Trumbull for a one-year pilot program, beginning Monday. Seven communities in the county are participating. The system allows customers to call for a ride from home and back instead of waiting at a designated stop.
The Riverwalk funding will be used for a pedestrian and bicycle trail that originated on the west end of Courthouse Square in Warren, Ryan said. The 14.5-mile trail will serve as a connector in the Great Ohio Lake-to-River Greenway Trail.
"This is a victory, but I will keep fighting until the final bill is sent to the president," Ryan said in a written statement. "Recreation and transportation are key to economic revitalization. I will continue to dedicate myself to these projects and efforts."
Ryan had originally asked for about $2.5 million in funding for the Riverwalk project.
skolnick@vindy.com