Excavated material from the Peel Road refurbishment has been used to create a cycleway on a section of the old steam railway line between Crosby and Union Mills.
The Department of Infrastructure is hoping the track will encourage more people to cycle or walk to work in Douglas.
About 2,500 of the 20,000 tonnes of material dug up during the Peel Road works in Douglas has been used to transform the previously muddy stretch of railway line.
The scheme, which is scheduled for completion on Friday , has also involved the widening and strengthening of three footbridges. Concrete steps have been replaced by ramps at two of the bridges to assist pedestrians and cyclists.
Improvements have been made to the natural streams to remove surface water from the track and prevent ponding, which was a problem for users of the old railway line.
Other work carried out since the scheme got under way in October 2014 has included tree lopping and hedge trimming, ditch clearance, pipe cleansing and the introduction of new edging and wooden boundary fencing.
The government says that ‘careful’ management of the project has prevented any damage to environmentally-sensitive areas by construction plant and equipment.
Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK said: ‘This is a really positive project on so many different levels. It has seen the creative recycling of excavated road material to provide an amenity that everyone can enjoy.
‘As we move towards Easter and the summer, hopefully the good weather will continue and I would encourage people to put it to the test and get out walking and cycling. It would certainly be a healthy way of commuting into Douglas.’
The feasibility of extending the cycleway into Peel is being assessed and officers are also looking at possible routes linking the south of the island with Douglas.
The old railway line between Douglas and Peel closed in 1968. It was later transformed into a ‘heritage trail’, principally for walkers.
However, cyclists do already use the line. But large parts of it are muddy after wet weather, so it is not ideal for commuters and better suited for people on mountain bikes.
There are also a number of gates that have to be opened and closed to go the whole way, so they have to get off their bikes frequently.
Mr Gawne added: ‘Improving the Isle of Man’s cycling infrastructure would have many benefits, not only in terms of general health, but also in terms of reducing congestion and the impact of carbon emissions on the Manx environment.
‘Funding is an issue, but I am keen to explore the potential for additional trails.’
The section of the old railway line between Old Church Road in Crosby and Union Mills refurbished by the Department of Infrastructure joins the stretch from Union Mills to the TT Access Road resurfaced by Braddan Commissioners.
Effectively that means that the line from Crosby to Douglas should be easy to use whatever the weather.
Health and Social Care Minister Howard Quayle MHK said: ‘The improvement to the track is something I have pushed for since being elected as MHK for Middle and I am delighted to see the project come to fruition. I think it will prove to be a wonderful facility for the local community.
‘As Minister for Health, anything that encourages people to take regular exercise is a good thing. Walking and cycling are low-impact activities that can significantly improve individual fitness and general wellbeing and in turn reduce the demand on our health services.’