A Railway Trail footbridge across an inlet yesterday got a $10,000 boost as construction of the link neared completion.

The Garden Club of Bermuda pledged to donate plants to add greenery to both ends of the Flatts bridge, as well a benches as it handed over the cheque.

Tucker Murphy, a founding member of Friends of the Railway Trail, who built the bridge, said the organisation was “incredibly grateful” to the Garden Club.

He added: “It’s their 100th anniversary so it’s kind of a good celebration for them because what we’re doing aligns with some of their mission.

“I had a chance to talk to them about the project a couple of weeks ago and I really enjoyed the opportunity to chat with them and also to get their view on it.”

Dr Murphy said that the footbridge was expected to be completed over the winter after several years of planning and construction.

He added that, although the bridge was almost finished, there was still “a bunch of things that have to be done”

Dr Murphy said some of the bridge deck and a pylon still had to be installed.

He added: “I don’t have an exact date of when this will be finished just because it depends on a few shipping things.”

A spokeswoman for the Garden Club said that the group was pleased to be able to contribute to the project.

She added the work was in line with what the Garden Club stood for.

The spokeswoman explained: “Preserving our heritage, connecting our island through trails which are safe for pedestrians and cyclists, giving everyone an escape from an urban lifestyle, encouraging discovery and promoting the health benefits associated with its usage are all aspects of the Club’s mission.”

The bridge was built mostly out of fibreglass – which makes one of the longest fibreglass footbridges in the world.

The pylon parts were built in Pennsylvania before they were shipped to the island and assembled.

The green colour scheme for the bridge was chosen to blend in with its surroundings.