"I say it'll go North-South as illustrated."

I agree, Provided that...
... the IT is a railway and I suspect no one here will argue against that assumption.

But for the first road I say that it is more practical and politically correct for the E/W road.
Again I must say that "Politically Correct" usually means that votes and/or money often speak louder than practicality.

Looks to me more votes along the E/W route. Cliffs not being totally out of the picture, represent money.

I also must say, I have no inside or privileged info on this subject but merely look at it as logically and practically as I can from the iffy info at hand.