planning studies have been completed for the conversion of highway 17's alignment through north bay, which is currently a four-lane expressway with partial but not full control of access, into a full freeway. the plan will include an interchange with a new alignment of highway 11, which would replace the existing algonquin avenue segment. in the city, the four-laned route will follow the existing highway route from the western city limits to meighen avenue, and then a new alignment from there to the eastbound highway 11/17 interchange. the bypassed portion of the current route will be realigned to connect with lansdowne avenue. this alignment, nicknamed "route 6", has been planned since the 1970s; although minor adjustments to the plan have been made since, as of 2017 the ministry has not announced an official construction schedule.