The latest ambitious stage of the project to restore the Railway Trail is taking shape in Smith’s with final preparations being made for a bridge to be built over Store Hill.

Four of the original old concrete pylons are being raised and restored while a brand new fifth pylon has been constructed to take the weight of the bridge sections.

The team behind the ongoing initiative to reconnect the old trail between Dockyard and St George hopes the new bridge section will be put in place within the next six weeks.

“The new pylon has been specially made thanks to D&J Construction and has been built in a Lego blocks formation,” said Mike Murphy, who together with his son, Tucker, has been at the forefront of the scheme. “The older pylons have all been restored and raised so that the bridge sections can be placed securely on top.

“The bridge sections, which are similar to the ones we have used in Bailey’s Bay, have not been assembled as yet.

“We are just waiting for the contractor to finish the preparation work and then we should be good to go.”

Over the last six months teams of volunteers have conducted a series of major clear-up operations of the stretch of trail leading up to Store Hill from Flatts.

Mr Murphy told The Royal Gazette that the project’s organisers were looking for volunteers to take part in a further clear-out of the section that will take place on July 18.

“We hope that when the bridge is in place bikers will be able to start using the trail as an alternative route to town,” said Mr Murphy. It opens up the trail all the way to Flatts which we believe is good news for walkers and cyclists.”

The project to restore Bermuda’s Railway Trail began back in 2011 when it was spearheaded by Tucker Murphy, but it has also been made possible due to generous donations from across the community. In June 2012 his family’s foundation entered into public/private partnership with the Department of Parks to improve the trail.

Last March the charity Friends of the Bermuda Railway Trail was formed to help fund improvement projects.

If you would like to take part in the July 18 clear-up of the area around Store Hill contact Mr Murphy Snr at mikmu7@gmail.com