FERRIDAY — At the intersection of U.S. 84 and E.E. Wallace Boulevard, a large truck swings wide, the nearly 90-degree angle of the corner into the narrow in-town lanes too tight for an 18-wheeler to make without momentarily entering the oncoming traffic lane.

Drivers stopped on E.E. Wallace Boulevard grit their teeth as the truck swings close but doesn’t clip any of the cars waiting at the red light.

A second truck clips the corner of the lot to the right of the intersection rather than risk the same turn.

It’s a scene that’s played out thousands, if not millions of times at that corner, but soon, drivers won’t have to face that scenario.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has received bids for a project that will widen the intersection for turns onto U.S. 84 west toward Jonesville and east toward Natchez.

“Where the trucks have to cut across that service station corner, that radius will be improved so a truck can make that turn without getting into the travel lane,” LaDOTD District Administrator Kenneth Mason said.

“We have been aware of this for quite a while, noticing the trucks having some trouble turning there.”

T.L. Construction of Alexandria submitted the apparent low bid for the project at $795,339.

Ferriday Mayor Gene Allen said he was “so happy” the work would be starting soon.

“This is something the town has needed for a long time, and I am glad (the DOTD) has taken the initiative to address it,” he said.

Allen said any traffic redirection during the project would be the purview of the DOTD since the work was on a state highway.

“That is their call,” he said. “They have not discussed traffic control with us.”

Mason said work on the intersection could start in the middle of August and — assuming weather did not interfere with work — finish by the end of the year.

Even with weather delays, the construction should be over by next spring, he said.