After twinning from the Manitoba border to Kenora, does anyone have any insight as to what would the next segment on Hwy 17, that is separate of Hwy 417 efforts, to be twinned?
I would think the MTO would twin the 17 between North Bay and Sudbury, both moderate sized cities. They have a combined population of about 200 000, and a single lane highway (the 17) is the only highway that directly connects them. After that, probably Sudbury to Sault Ste Marie. The 417 would be extended west to North Bay, completing the twinning in that area. Just my thoughts mind you, I don't really know whats going on in the heads of the MTO.
Over the next two or three decades, I think the 17 will be twinned for its entire length, but again, don't quote me on that.
In Northwestern Ontario, the Hwy 11/17 corridor between Nipigon and Thunder Bayis slated to be completed or at least under construction by 2018. The section of Hwy 17 west of Kenora should be under construction by that point as well.
In Northeastern Ontario, there is no immediate plans to widen anywhere along the Hwy 17 corridor, though various studies have been planned for expansion for the whole stretch between Sault Ste. Marie and the Nipissing-Renfrew boundary. Some of those studies were cancelled as they were not deemed critical enough to spend the money on, but the more critical ones have gone ahead.
In terms of timelines in NER, pure speculation but I would expect the areas around North Bay and Sudbury to see upgrades in the 10-30 year time frame (perhaps even as far as Espanola to Mattawa). Maybe in the area around Soo as well. But I would not expect too much beyond that, as west of Espanola the highway is in pretty good shape and there is little to no demand along it.
For Hwy 17 in Southern Ontario, expansion between Renfrew and Arnprior is underway. Conceptually the section between Petawawa and Renfrew is slated for expansion, but no timeline has been set on that. West of Petawawa there are no plans to expand Hwy 17.