Drivers in Orange County say a familiar problem is back — trash piling up along State Route 17.

News 12 observed debris lining both sides of the highway from Harriman to Middletown, with bags, bottles and other garbage scattered along the shoulder for miles.

For people like Warwick resident Crystal Plumber, who drives the route regularly, the conditions are hard to ignore.

“It’s horrible. That is atrocious,” Plumber said. “That is unacceptable. That’s ridiculous and it’s on both sides in both directions.”

It’s an issue News 12 has been tracking since 2023, with similar complaints surfacing each spring as snow melts and litter becomes more visible along roadways.

It’s an issue News 12 has been tracking since 2023, with similar complaints surfacing each spring as snow melts and litter becomes more visible along roadways.

And for some drivers, it’s not just the trash.

Middletown resident Christian Canada says potholes along the same stretch of road are adding to the frustration.

“I have my dog in the car. I have to try to swerve in and out of lanes,” Canada said, describing the conditions.

He says with the amount of taxes people pay in the area, drivers expect better conditions.

“The least we can do is have some decent roads and clean environment,” he added.

Residents and officials have previously called the conditions “disgusting” and “embarrassing,” and frustration is growing as the problem continues year after year.

Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus is once again pointing to the state, which is responsible for maintaining Route 17.

“It’s absolutely embarrassing and unacceptable,” Neuhaus said, criticizing what he describes as a lack of resources and attention to Hudson Valley roads.

But others say the issue goes beyond cleanup.

State Sen. James Skoufis says littering is a major factor — and that cleanup crews alone cannot keep up.

“People need to pay a price for violating the law. Then, maybe, they’ll stop,” Skoufis said. He plans to introduce legislation that would allow cameras on highways to automatically ticket drivers caught throwing garbage from their vehicles.

The New York State Department of Transportation says trash buildup is often worse during the winter months, when crews are focused on snow and ice operations.

In a statement, a spokesperson said crews will begin collecting trash as part of routine maintenance as weather improves, adding that “the safety of the traveling public is always the top priority.”

The agency also emphasized that littering contributes to the problem, saying everyone plays a role in keeping roadways clean and that proper disposal helps crews focus on infrastructure repairs.

Enforcement has also played a role in the past. In 2023, state police ticketed garbage haulers for unsecured loads that were found to be scattering debris along roadways.

Still, despite enforcement efforts and repeated complaints, the problem persists.

For now, drivers say the conditions along Route 17 remain unacceptable — and are calling for real solutions to stop the cycle from repeating each year.