One does not have to read too deeply between the lines here.
A n/s road would serve only the mines. It does not even contemplate coming near Marten Falls. The release definately contemplates several benefits to multi communities in the area.
A n/s road dedicated to mine traffic could possibly handle the truck traffic involved, but would entail no benefits to any of the communities, except a small benefit to Marten Falls.
An e/w route would benefit all communities except Marten Falls, and could handle the traffic required for a nickel mining operation, but no way could it handle a chromite mine. The anticipated 2 mill tons of chromite to adequately feed a smelter would require 40,000 truckloads/yr.
I have had the (fortune?) to have had the opportunity to watch a similar situation evolve 3 times in my lifetime. This one is no different, although a bit long in coming together. Ontario Gov't seems to have a plan in place. It involves them administering the proposed corporation, so it will be a public road. In today's world, there is no way they would want to control a public railroad. It involves public as well as private investment, so they must have some agreement from the involved companies. The plan is to serve multi communities, so it must be the E/W route.
My guess remains an E/W road, with rail to come in a couple of years.
All simple logic, maybe.
K
