After spending 12 million+ on an EW road study and still a long way to go before approval, it is difficult to throw that all away and start over. A new study for a NS route is going to cost even more and neither Noront or KWG have the money for that. Besides look how long the EW road study has taken thus far, imagine how long it will take for a NS route which has to cross 2 major rivers. Also no one is saying what the hold up is exactly but I doubt if knowing would help, might only serve to piss off the shareholders. You know what they say, ignorance is bliss. As difficult as it is to swallow patience is the order of the day.