Local Agency Program
The Department has historically contracted with other governmental
agencies to develop, design, acquire right-of-way, and construct
transportation facilities and to reimburse these governmental agencies for
services provided to the traveling public. When the Department contracts
with Local Agencies for reimbursement to the Local Agencies using Federal
funds administered by the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Department will be held
accountable to ensure
the Certified Local Agencies comply with all applicable Federal statutes,
rules and regulations. Locals must be LAP-certified before entering into a
LAP Agreement.
The Local Agency Program (LAP) is administered in each District by a
District LAP Administrator designated by the District Secretary.
Project-level direction and oversight are provided through the District
Offices of Planning, Environmental Management, Design, Right-of-Way, Policy
Planning, Environmental Management, Federal-Aid, Design, Contracts
Administration, Equal Opportunity, Comptroller, and Program Development. The
Central Office LAP Administrator chairs the standing committee on standards
and practices for local agencies.
FHWA has developed a document titled the Guide to Federal-Aid Programs and Projects.
This guide provides basic information about the Federal-Aid programs, projects, and other program
information such as funding share, regulatory reference, background and history. The guide is intended
to provide basic information for FHWA and State personnel involved in the administration of the
Federal-Aid Highway Program. This guide should be of interest to FHWA, State highway agencies,
local governments, and private sector personnel interested in a basic understanding of Federal-Aid programs,
projects, or other program characteristics.
We have created a
LAP Reference Guide for the Local Agency Program. This 6 chapter guide
includes information like:
the LAP process summary and diagrams, LAP requirements, compliance,
benefits, growth and LAP contacts.
The Accessible
Sidewalks and Street Crossings is an informational guide designed
to provide guidance for accessible sidewalks and street crossings. To meet
the needs of all sidewalk users, designers must have a clear understanding
of the wide range of abilities that occur within the population. Sidewalks,
like roadways, should be designed to serve all users. This includes
children, older people, parents with strollers, pedestrians who have vision
impairments, and people using wheelchairs and other assistive devices. Just
as a roadway will not be designed for one type of vehicle, the design of
sidewalks should not be limited to only a single type of pedestrian user.
Because the sidewalk is the basic unit of mobility within our overall system
of transportation, every route and facility must be usable.
