Local Public Agency

A Local Public Agency is an official government body within a municipality that is responsible for planning and developing the community.  LPA refers to a government entity at the local level, like a city, parish, school district, or special district, which operates within a state.

• Cities:  Municipal governments are responsible for zoning, public safety, and infrastructure projects within their boundaries. 
• Parishes:  Larger administrative divisions oversees regional planning, public health, and road maintenance. 
• School Districts:  Entities dedicated to managing public education within a defined area. 
• Special Districts:  Smaller government bodies focused on specific services like water utilities, fire protection, or parks and recreation.

The primary role of a LPA is to strategize and execute plans for the betterment of the community, including infrastructure development, land use management, public services, and economic growth.  LPAs also provide services to residents, such as public safety, health care, and transportation.  

Local Public Agencies receive Federal funds to help support their transportation programs and projects.  The federal funds are used to build, reconstruct, improve highways and bridges, and maintain the nation's highway network.  As the passed-through entity, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development receives federal funds and distributes them to the LPA with oversight.

The LPA Program acts as a resource to ensure compliance with federal transportation laws by providing access to information, guidance, and tools.  The primary goal of the LPA Program is to serve as a comprehensive guide for LPAs, providing information on accessible programs, processes to secure projects, and instructions on navigating all stages of a project lifecycle.