It’s anyone’s guess when the North Mendota Parkway will become a reality, but a bike network that will eventually complement the planned north commuter ring around Lake Mendota is already in the works. The 12-mile path, dubbed the North Mendota Trail, will provide a direct link from Westport to Middleton that bypasses Highway M, a risky segment for those circumnavigating the lake by bike. Construction of one of the first phases will be complete this year when the town of Westport will construct a section of the trail along Woodland Drive, starting at Mary Lake Road in Westport, to County Highway M. The project was funded in part through a grant from Dane County. Dane County and the town of Westport are also currently working on plans to connect Woodland Drive with Governor Nelson State Park and eventually connect to Holy Wisdom Monastery; an 800-acre T Wall development under construction to the west; Mendota County Park and the Pheasant Branch Conservancy in Middleton.