For years, Orange County drivers and local officials have complained about potholes, deteriorating pavement and state roads in desperate need of repair.

Now, motorists are beginning to see millions of dollars in long-awaited improvements take shape across the county this summer.

Some of the most visible construction is underway along Route 17 near Exit 122 in the Town of Wallkill, where the state is continuing a $67.8 million overhaul of the Crystal Run Road interchange. The project is designed to improve safety and traffic flow while bringing that section of Route 17 closer to interstate standards as part of the long-term conversion to Interstate 86.

The work includes new and improved ramps, a collector-distributor road to separate through traffic from vehicles entering and exiting the highway, bridge work, resurfacing, and pedestrian and bicycle improvements around Crystal Run Road. New westbound entrance and exit ramps opened earlier this year, and the overall project is expected to be completed later this year. Drivers told News 12 on Monday that while the construction has meant delays, they are willing to put up with them for better roads. “It’s been rough in terms of the delays and everything, but it’s much needed,” said Pine Bush resident Marsha Stephens. [twitter]https://twitter.com/blaisegomez12/status/2089373179709919241[/twitter] Stephens says she is finally seeing improvements to roads she describes as “axle busters.” “When you hit a pothole, it’s going to cause some damage, so I really appreciate that they’re working on it now and getting it under control,” Stephens said. Gianna Thompson of Ellenville agreed. “They definitely needed some work,” Thompson said. “It’s about time.” The Exit 122 overhaul is just one of several major projects underway or planned across Orange County. A separate Route 17 resurfacing project covers the highway between Exits 119 and 124 in Wallkill and Goshen. Long-awaited improvements are also moving forward along Route 17M. Local residents and elected officials have pushed for years to repair portions of the heavily traveled roadway. In early 2025, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers urged the Department of Transportation to repave the Monroe-Harriman corridor, saying its condition had worsened over time and was in dire need of repair. Work along the Chester-Goshen corridor includes drainage, sidewalk and ADA accessibility improvements, with repaving to follow. Similar improvements are planned along Route 17M through Monroe and Harriman. “So many of our state roads better resemble the surface of the moon, so I’m delighted to see many of them repaved this year,” state Sen. James Skoufis said Monday. “There’s certainly more work to do, which is why I’ll continue to push the state and DOT until all of our roadways are prioritized and made safe for local residents.” The investment extends well beyond Routes 17 and 17M. A $30 million modernization of Routes 17A and 94 through Warwick and Goshen includes resurfacing more than 14 miles of roadway, drainage and pedestrian improvements, culvert replacements and a new roundabout. The project is scheduled for completion in 2027. A roughly $10.9 million Route 209 resurfacing project from the Port Jervis city line to Route 211 in Deerpark is expected to begin in October. Additional improvements are also planned along Route 208. For Stephens, the temporary inconvenience is worth it if the end result is safer, smoother roads. “We get charged so much for tolls and stuff, and now I’m finally seeing the dollars at work,” Stephens said. “So I’ll put up with the delays as long as the roads improve.”