A new walking trail, scheduled for completion on Feb. 2, will link Georgia Southern University to the Blue Mile.

The plans for the trail began in Winter 2017 after Statesboro was placed third in the America’s Best Communities Competition and received $1 million to help revitalize the South Main corridor, according to the press release.

The new rubberized trail will include lighting and fencing along the GS athletics practice fields, Director of Facilities Planning, Design and Construction Matthew Shingler said in a press release.

The hope is that the new trail will encourage students to eat and shop along the street of the Blue Mile and increase economic development within the community.

The trail will connect with the current one located off of Sweetheart Circle and will create an easier access way for students to walk downtown, said Blue Mile Communicate president Keely Fennell.