Local Agency Programs (LAP) staff provide oversight for city, village, and county road and bridge construction projects which receive certain types of federal and/or state funding. Projects must already be included in an approved Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan or other approved lists, such as for Local Bridge, Safety, Enhancement, and Economic Development projects. The local agency performs preliminary engineering activities, with advice from LAP staff engineers, who also attend or lead various project meetings.

When the final plans, specifications, and estimates are complete, they are coordinated through LAP staff to be included in an MDOT letting. This includes obligation of funds, assembling proposals, completion of various computer records, preparation and processing of addenda, and several other tasks.

LAP staff are also involved in the environmental clearance process, which is completed by the local agency. This process involves the Federal Highway Administration, and may involve agencies such as the State Historic Preservation Office. The LAP staff engineers bring statewide experience in plan preparation and understanding of the federal and state laws and regulations governing the project. In general, projects are handled on a first-come, first-served basis.