The Bay Area soon may be able to buy bread and eggs online again.

Since October, Safeway has quietly expanded a test of its Internet store in the Tri-Valley area after first trying it out in Portland, Oregon.

Company officials aren´t saying much about the project, but signs point to a wide-scale launch on the way.

Foster City-based Webvan´s collapse in July made businesses question the viability of online grocery shopping. Safeway´s efforts mark a second wind for the concept.