Craig Howell FUNDING RECEIVED – Crews from the Weirton Area Water Board are pictured in January working to repair a break in the main line along Walnut Street. The Water Board has received $1 million in Congressionally Directed Spending, which officials say will be put toward planned upgrades to the water system in Weirton's downtown.

WEIRTON – The Weirton Area Water Board has received a boost in its plans to upgrade part of the city’s water distribution system.

The board has been awarded $1 million in Congressionally Directed Spending through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to put toward planned upgrades to a portion of the distribution system in the city’s downtown.

“That’s to replace the line on Walnut Street,” noted Weirton Utilities Director A.D. “Butch” Mastrantoni.

The announcement was made Tuesday morning by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., who arranged for the funding, as well as allocations for several other infrastructure projects in West Virginia.

“As Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I am committed to ensuring our infrastructure and public works systems remain strong and reliable,” Capito said. “These funds for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will help support critical projects across West Virginia, providing our communities with the resources they need to strengthen infrastructure, enhance safety, and improve quality of life for residents across our state.”

This was the second time the Weirton Area Water Board applied for funding through the Army Corps, having been turned down for $4.34 million in 2024. The application for this round of funding was made last fall.

Breaks in the 12-inch main line along Walnut Street, located just below Municipal Plaza, were a major contributor to the water conservation order issued in Weirton in December 2024 and January 2025, after they resulted in the loss of water service for much of the city’s downtown at the time.

Crews were called to the area earlier this year for another break in the line, but were able to make repairs without any major long-term issues.

Mastrantoni noted the federal allocation won’t cover the entire cost of the project – estimated at more than $4 million – but will be a big help.

“It’s one piece of the puzzle,” Mastrantoni said, noting the Water Board is hopeful for some additional funding through the state to serve as a match for the federal funding. “We’ll have a sizable start in funding that project.”

The more state or federal funds are able to be put toward the project, the less burden will be placed on local residents, Mastrantoni noted.

Officials have been planning the Walnut Street project separately from the city-wide distribution system upgrades, as ordered by the West Virginia Public Service Commission last year. Preliminary estimates have that project costing approximately $190 million.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)