FORT BENNING, Ga., (Sept. 30, 2015) -- The new 10th Division recreation trail is now open for biking and other recreational activities, said Randel Lemoine, a civil engineer, with Fort Benning's Directorate of Public Works.

Lemoine said even though construction is not complete, the trail can still be used.

"It's not finished," Lemoine said. "There is some additional signage that needs to be put in, but bikers, walkers and runners can use it."

The new trail, Lemoine said, is a part of the Recreational Trails Master Plan that was initiated in 2014 as a senior project by students at the University of Georgia.

Lemoine said the trails are needed for safety.

"In the mornings, during PT, Soldiers can run or march on the trails rather than on the main roads," he said. "(And) bikers wishing to go to the road around the airfield can use it to avoid heavy traffic and the steep narrow roadway on 10th Division Road."

In the future signage will be placed along 10th Division Road signifying that all bike traffic must use the recreational path and not the road, Lemoine said.

Lemoine said Fort Benning has around 10 miles of recreational trails that are important for fitness.

"The Army has a strong emphasis on fitness," he said. "Not only do the Soldiers use it for fitness, but Families do as well."

DPW is working on a 1st Division Road Trail which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Lemoine said when DPW was conducting surveys for the trail project they saw many mothers going up and down 1st Division Road with strollers.

"We thought, if we could get them off the road that would be much safer," he said.

Lemoine said the completion date is Dec. 15. The trail was originally supposed to be completed in November, but DPW experienced delays due to working around other projects on post.