I call the transportation paths as:
KWG's north-south as still N/S.
KWG alternate as N/W.
And Noront's as still E/W.

The difference between E/W and N/S is that E/W was cheaper to build due to running over higher ground where bridge costs should be less but the N/S is shorter so therefore cheaper to transport on ( road vs road).
The N/W by taking just as long a path as E/W is going partly over N/S and therefore raising costs for building and also just as expensive to transport on as E/W.

Hence unless there are serious repercussions from the natives I see no advantage of N/W over the other two.

HOWEVER (and I emphasize with capital letters) I expect serious problems with the native communities fighting among themselves as to who gets it's way and finally with government buraucrats and the miners.

That very anticipation is probably the reason that our sp is taking a dive in a time when it should be rising due to expectant EA.

I think it was in one of the posts here I read that government decisions and permitting is on hold or delayed due to indecisive input from the natives.
The short answer from me is that government politicians lack sufficient knowlege and backbone to make and stand by their decisions.