A pedestrian bridge is being built in the United States that will connect two parts of a nudist spa that are divided by a busy public road.

The construction of the "bridge of thighs" at the Californian Desert Shadows Inn resort in Palm Springs is due to be completed next month.

"I've heard it all before: bridge of thighs, naked bridge, nudist bridge, you name it. I'm sure I'm going to hear more of it before it's over," the resort owner told the Associated Press news agency.

The steel and canvas bridge costing $500,000 has been designed so that passers-by and motorists will be unable to see its naked users.

The challenge was shielding the people going up and down the steps. How do you shield them and keep it an open structure? Architect Christopher Millsname

Architects say protecting naked holidaymakers from the public eye was the main challenge in building the bridge.

Residents at the upscale spa will only be able to access it by using a card.

"The challenge was shielding the people going up and down the steps. How do you shield them and keep it an open structure?" said architect Christopher Mills.

Local attraction

Local officials are delighted that the bridge, which has taken 18 months so far to build, is nearing completion.

"We have always welcomed that which we think is interesting and unique," mayor William Kleindienst said.

"We think it will become much more than a bridge to people."

The resort's guests say they will no longer have to get dressed to go to the gym.

"I can just walk across," said Rosianne Kurtz, a client from Beverly Hills.

The overpass is officially to be named the Lee R Baxandall Bridge in honour of the founder of the Naturist Society.