Hundreds of Tsuu T'ina band members will vote Thursday on a southwest ring road proposal.
Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver said the deal is similar to the one that band members rejected back in 2009 by more than 60 per cent.
He said that unfortunate wording made the original deal hard to accept and he is cautiously optimistic that something can be finally nailed down.
Sources say the deal offers the first nation $275 million and millions more to relocate affected residents and businesses.
There is also a land swap which guarantees the Tsuu T’ina Nation 2,000 hectares of property in exchange for land needed to build the highway.
People who live in the area say the road is much needed.
"Based on the travel on the other ring roads in the city, we definitely need it in this area. I guess it will depend on whether the final cost is taxpayer acceptable and it's not going through the Weaselhead which was environmentally sensitive so basically, I'm in favour of it," said one man.
"Quite frankly, I think they'll vote it down again but we do need a ring road and the option is 37th street I guess," said another long-time area resident.
Polls are scheduled to close at 8:00 p.m.
Just over 1,000 Tsuu T'ina members are eligible to vote.
