26 Oregon Trucking Association, Inc. Oregon Truck Dispatch Trucking Moves Oregon’s Economy By Jennifer Sitton | OTA Communications Consultant OREGON’S TRUCKING INDUSTRY plays a critical role in keeping the economy moving. Not only do trucks move nearly every item that we use in our daily lives, but they also play an important role in keeping the supply chain in motion. Most consumers don’t think about how the coffee they drink, the shoes they wear, or the phone they use every day arrived at their home or at the store, but nearly every item you eat, wear, or use was once transported via truck. Never before was the trucking industry so critical in delivering products to consumers than during the COVID-19 pandemic, when more and more Oregonians—and Americans—were ordering products to be delivered directly to their homes. But even as we’ve returned to normalcy, Oregonians rely heavily on the trucking industry to move products. Nearly 77% of communities in the state depend solely on trucks to deliver everyday essentials, from food to medical supplies. In addition to moving products to consumers, trucks are a vital transportation tool for manufacturing and other businesses. Nearly every industry in Oregon relies on trucks to transport the materials and equipment needed to manufacture goods and maintain their businesses. In fact, nearly 91% of manufactured tonnage in Oregon is transported by truck—that’s 122,780 tons a day! 91% of manufactured tonnage in Oregon is transported by truck Because Oregon is so dependent upon freight and trucking’s role in moving freight, highway conditions can have a significant impact on the economy and often, deteriorating road conditions can directly impact economic outputs. For example, I-84 is an extremely important highway for commercial traffic—trucks rely on this interstate route to move freight—but due to the nature of the highway, it is vulnerable to closures due to extreme weather conditions or wildfires. ODOT recently found that the estimated cost of one weekday closure of I-84 to heavy trucks between mile posts 17-62 due to the Eagle Creek Wildfire was $250,000–290,000. $250K–$290K— The estimated cost of one weekday closure of I-84 due to the Eagle Creek Wildfire When trucks can’t move products from one location to the next, our economy suffers. In addition to the important role trucking plays in the supply chain, Oregon’s trucking industry also contributes to the economy by providing jobs. There are currently 101,030 trucking industry jobs in Oregon, accounting for 1 in 16 jobs in the state. The 222,840 heavy and tractortrailer truck drivers in the state have an average salary of $54,072. A total of 25,180 trucking companies are located in Oregon, most of which are small, locally owned businesses who not only contribute to their local economy, but often play an important role as leaders in their communities. 25,180 trucking companies located in Oregon As we look to the future, the trucking industry will continue to play an important role in Oregon’s economy and supply chain, which is why the industry is continually looking at opportunities to adapt and modernize to meet the growing needs of businesses and consumers. So, the next time you pick up groceries at the store, receive a delivery at home, or slip on your shoes in the morning, remember that none of those products would be available without trucks helping to move Oregon’s economy. 77% of communities in Oregon depend solely on trucks to deliver everyday essentials, from food to medical supplies
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