SPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) - The Forest Service has hired a contractor to begin construction of a new Bridal Veil Falls observation platform.

The Black Hills Pioneer reports (http://bit.ly/SNJbqT) that construction will begin in the next few weeks and take about two and a half months to complete.

The platform is intended to improve pedestrian and highway safety in Spearfish Canyon.

Viewers currently have to park their cars on the opposite side of the road, then cross and stand on the highway's narrow shoulder to get a look.

And heavy foot traffic from people hiking down the bank in search of a better view has caused the bank to erode.