Few issues unite local leaders from states across the ideological spectrum like the prospect of massive trucks, much larger than typical highway tractor-trailers, rumbling down the roads and tearing up infrastructure.

More than 2,200 local government officials like me — from all 50 states, from blue and red bastions and everything in between — joined together recently to let congressional lawmakers know they are dead set against proposals to allow such trucks.

Under consideration as Congress debates the highway bill, the measures would increase the federal weight limits for tractor-trailers from the current 80,000 pounds to as much as 156,000 pounds.

In their group letter to congressional members, the officials stressed that many localities are already struggling to keep up with the backlog of roadway maintenance due to a lack of funds.

“We strongly oppose proposals in Congress that would allow any increase in truck weight or length. Heavier single-trailer trucks or longer double-trailer trucks would only make our current situation worse,” wrote the officials, who include county and municipal officials, public works directors and county engineers.

“Millions of miles of truck traffic operate on local roads and bridges across the........

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