The request for qualifications for the interchange project close on Nov. 30 and tender selection is expected to take place early in the New Year, with construction starting as early as the spring of 2022.

MLA Peter Guthrie says it looks like clear sailing for a project that has been top of mind for the community for well over a decade.

"Right now, everything's on track," says Guthrie. "There's nothing yet that I've been made aware of that's holding us up. So as long as we stay the course, I think we'll have shovels in the ground this construction season certainly, and hopefully the spring."

Guthrie says it's probably been the number one topic of discussion since he moved to the community in 2009.

"We only had a population at that time of 15,000, and it was a topic of discussion. Here we are now, 12 years later, finally seeing this come to fruition, so I'm happy to be a part of it."

While residents have been voicing frustration, there's been many moving parts to contend with by Alberta Transportation and town officials.

"There's been a tonne associated with this project to keep it moving along, then we had all the utility crossings, and then working with the town to try and fill in some of the gaps where the project was a little bit short."

Mayor Jeff Genung confirmed the gap project is estimated to cost just over $10 million. Of that, the town is contributing $1.2 million, Melcor Development will pay $4.285,000 through off-site levies, and the province is responsible for the rest.

Guthrie says the province's portion will be included in the spring budget.