Organizations represent local governments, organized labor, motorists, truckers 

 A coalition of 20 national organizations is asking Congress to oppose measures that would allow larger tractor-trailers on the nation’s roads due to the damaging effects on local infrastructure, as lawmakers prepare legislation setting transportation priorities for the next several years. 

“As the 119th Congress continues its work on surface transportation reauthorization, we urge you to oppose any legislation that would increase maximum truck weight or length limits on federal highways,”  said the group in a Jan 29 letter to the leaders of the House and Senate committees responsible for transportation legislation. 

“Our opposition extends to any legislation that would raise truck weight limits as part of a ‘pilot program,’  any state or commodity exemptions or waivers of current federal limits, or provisions that would allow states to regulate truck weight limits for interstate commerce,” said the coalition, which includes organizations representing local governments, organized labor, motorists and the trucking and rail industries. 

Signatories include the National Association of Counties, the National Association of County Engineers,  the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the American Automobile Association, the International Brotherhood of  Teamsters, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, and the Truckload Carriers Association.