Commuting Patterns Due to the increasing dependence of local residents on Eugene-Springfield for employment and essential goods and services, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of vehicles commuting up and down the Highway 58 corridor between the two areas. In 1985, the average commute to work for an Oakridge exchange resident was 18 minutes. Now, following the closure of lumber mills and Forest service offices, that average has increased to approximately 50 minutes. Historical traffic studies from the Oregon Department of Transportation document this increase, as the number of vehicles commuting to and from Oakridge has increased significantly during this time period. Toll Avoidance Some Oakridge exchange residents engage in a variety of toll avoidance practices.
Residents often avoid toll calls by combining a trip with their telephone activities.
Others relay calls through neighbors or friends. The demand for EAS in Oregon is growing substantially. In many parts of the state, local telephone exchange boundaries no longer bear any relation to actual communities. Improved transportation, communications, and the general growth of cities and towns have expanded the boundaries of what local citizens view as their community. Many customers in suburban and rural areas desire toll-free calling to population centers.