FITCHBURG, Wis. -- Bikers in the Madison area will soon have a new trail to test out.

The new trail will connect Fitchburg to Madison's southwest trail. The $1.2 million project extends the Badger State Trail, which ends in Freeport, Ill.

Some, like Chad Warren, a father to a 6-year-old, noted that the new trail will be a safer alternative to Seminole Highway.

"The 6-year-old mind wanders very quickly, and he's doing s-turns in a bike lane and that could get sketchy," said Warren.

City officials concurred that safety was a major consideration in construction of the new trail.

"This paved trail, again for commuters during the week, you know, weekends it'll be good for families with small kids, that type of thing," said Fitchburg's Director of Public Works Paul Woodard. "Definitely for children and families, this'll be a safer alternative than Seminole Highway."

The trail is scheduled to open sometime in mid-September.