Which is why I think this four-laning, where 11 and 17 are multi-plexed between Thunder Bay and Nipigon, makes a lot of sense. The other part that should be a top priority is between Highway 71 near Kenora to the Manitoba border (where 17 becomes 1 and immediately widens to a dual carriageway). At least with a dual carriageway, if there is a calamity, most of the time one side could host traffic in both directions.
I also think Highway 102 should similarly be upgraded and twinned as far as its western terminus and continuing to the 11/17 split west of Thunder Bay, and that become part of the official TCH route.
Interestingly, long-distance truckers doing the all-Canadian route are more likely to take Highway 11 instead of Highway 17. Highway 11, built decades before 17 was completed between Sault Ste. Marie and Nipigon, is a longer drive, but it is flatter and straighter.