A new footbridge built to extend the Railway Trail over Flatts Inlet has hit a snag after an underwater cave was detected in the bridge’s path.

Tucker Murphy, a spokesman for the Friends of the Railway Trail, confirmed that the construction team had found the cave near the proposed site for a foundation for the structure.

He said that the cave had been reported to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as well as the Department of Planning, and that excavation to lay the foundation had stopped while an examination of the area was carried out.

Dr Murphy added: “The geophysical study is not yet complete but we expect the planned foundation or location to be altered to avoid placing undue pressure on the cave site.

“In the meantime, some of the many dedicated bridge volunteers have been out there installing decking and working on existing spans.”

Volunteers have also taken delivery of fibreglass parts for a 52 foot-long bridge span to be installed over the next few months.

Dr Murphy highlighted the work of the project’s volunteers, many of them from Smith’s Parish.

He also thanked Julie and John Steele, also members of Friends of the Railway Trail, and Colin Campbell, an architect, for their help on the project.

The Friends of the Railway Trail has worked on the project for several years, with most of the time taken up on planning.

The group received a $10,000 boost from the Garden Club of Bermuda last December, as well as a donation of plants and park benches to beautify either end of the bridge.