Local Project Administration

This is a picture of the Eastern promanade in Portland, Maine MaineDOT’s Local Project Administration Program enables cities, towns and other local public agencies to make transportation improvements with federal and state money. A certified local staff member takes charge of a “locally administered project” in partnership with a MaineDOT project manager, who makes sure all federal and state requirements are met. The program provides a way to get projects done with a high level of local control.

For more information about Local Project Administration, please e-mail the MaineDOT Local Projects Coordinator or call the Multimodal Program at (207) 624-3420.

What is a locally administered project (LAP)?

An LAP is any MaineDOT-funded project where all phases of the work – from design through construction – are administered by a municipality or other local public agency.

What is a typical LAP?

Local Project Administration commonly is used to build sidewalks and trails, fix safety hazards, improve public waterfront access, and pave roads eligible for federal and state transportation funding.

Who can administer an LAP?

Municipalities deliver most LAPs in Maine. Other organizations also undertake them occasionally, such as school systems, colleges and universities, and non-profit agencies. The people in charge of them include public works directors, engineers, planners, administrators, selectmen and agency facilities managers. Organizations wishing to administer federally funded projects must employ at least one full-time person who holds LPA certification through MaineDOT.

What is certification?

The staff member who will administer a project must be certified to do so, as follows:

Tier I certification consists of a day-long training on the basics of delivering projects with federal and state money. Completion results in a 5-year certification.
Tier II certification is a project-specific review before design work begins. Staffs from MaineDOT and a municipality or other local agency go over the scope of work, budget, schedule and requirements.

How are LAPs funded?

Projects are funded through competitive federal and state programs such as Transportation Alternatives, Hazard Elimination, the Small Harbor Improvement Program, and the Low Use Redundant Bridge Program. Larger cities and towns also receive funding through metropolitan planning organizations (MPO). Communities undertaking these projects are reimbursed for expenditures eligible for federal and state funding. Typical reimbursement is 80 percent.

What are Federal Highway Administration Requirements?

If a project uses federal money, the Federal Highway Administration has many requirements, which are covered in during LPA certification training. Common requirements include:

Selection of consultants based on their qualifications to do the work, and not price.
Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and other environmental laws.
Proper acquisition of property. Owners must be offered fair market value – based on professional appraisals – for any real estate or property rights. Coercion is forbidden.
Adherence to federal and state design standards and specifications, as well as construction oversight, documentation and testing requirements.
Compliance with civil rights and labor-standards requirements, such as the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Davis-Bacon Act.

This page last updated on 6/7/13

mainedot local project administration

Local Project Administration