"i know everyone expects a E/W road,but this sounds like they will focus on the N/S route(rail),and hydro going up that way."

I'm one of those that expects the E/W road first, but it is not MY whimsical expectation. I believe the native communities expect so even more. More so, do we want to aggrevate them for any reason?
Just think of the blockade from a few years back and it was for some left over empty fuel drums etc.
Consider the E/W road abandoned and the possible reaction to it. I do not even want to discuss the possibilities lest those horns arise.

Add to that the federal government must be counting on the E/W road because it would lower the cost of services and supplies to the native communities and it is the Feds that are forking over the support costs to those communities.

I think these are very good reasons for the E/W road.

North-South rail line has good economic foundation for going in so it also has to be provided, though much later. Perhaps more studies and compromises will need to be done before it will see light.