FY26 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG)

1. If a local government does not submit a project list, they will not receive local assistance for that program year. The unused LMIG funds will be used for emergencies, economic development or school access projects elsewhere in the state, on an as needed basis, as determined by the Commissioner.
2. You will be responsible for a 10% or 30% match to obtain your LMIG funds as stated in the Transportation Investment Act (TIA). The counties and cities in the River Valley Region, Central Savannah River Area, Heart of Georgia Region, and Southern Georgia Region will be at the 10% match. All other remaining counties and cities will be at the 30% match. For example, if your formula allocation is $100,000 and your county’s match requirement is 30%, then your project list must have a total in value dollar amount over $130,000. If the project list you submit does not equal or exceed your Formula Amount plus your required match, you will be asked to resubmit your application.
3. Larger LMIG Projects, that include preliminary engineering, right of way and construction phases, shall be completed as soon as possible but substantially complete within three (3) years from the date of receiving the LMIG Grant. We expect resurfacing and maintenance type projects to be completed within a year from the date of receiving the LMIG Grant unless it is necessary for the local government to combine their fiscal year allocations. Funds can be rolled up to 3 fiscal years, when the project list is approved by the Department.
4. All preconstruction activities, advertisements, lettings, and quality control of work and materials will be the responsibility of the local government. It’s important to remember that all these expenses are eligible for V15LMIG funds and the match requirements.
5. All work to be paid with LMIG funds cannot begin until the Department has issued payment to the Local Government.
6. Wherever practical and feasible, GDOT encourages the use of locally owned, disadvantaged business enterprises, and veteran owned businesses in any project that is funded in whole or in part with LMIG funds. GDOT asks each Local Government to report, at the end of the year, any DBE usage on LMIG contracts to your local District State Aid Coordinator. This measure will be used to assist GDOT in meeting the 2012-2015 Race Neutral DBE Goals. If you have any questions concerning firms that are DBE Certified, please visit our web page at www.dot.ga.gov.
7. The local government shall accomplish all the design activities in connection with the projects identified on the project list. Design activities must be accomplished in accordance with the applicable guidelines of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (“AASHTO”) and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), current edition.
8. In addition, all projects on the state route system shall be done in accordance with DEPARTMENT design policies & guidelines where applicable. The local government shall also be responsible for submitting permit applications to the District Traffic Operations Office or the District Utilities Office if the project is on a state route.
9. The Department recommends that any design plans for bridge replacement and structural repairs be reviewed by the State Bridge Engineer prior to construction. If not, final bridge plans and all supporting documents must be submitted to the Local Grants Office in Atlanta. Final plans will then be forwarded to the Bridge Maintenance Office for use in their biennial inspections. Request for plan review should be coordinated with the Office of Bridge Design located at One Georgia Center, 600 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30308. Phone (404) 631-1985.
10. All projects identified on the project list shall be constructed in accordance with the DEPARTMENT's Standard Specifications Construction of Transportation Systems (current edition), Supplemental Specifications (current edition) and Special Provisions.
11. Authorized representatives of the DEPARTMENT may at all reasonable times review and inspect the work, activities and data collected in connection with the projects identified on the project list, including but not limited to, all reports, drawings, studies, specifications, estimates, maps and computations prepared by or for the local government.
12. All projects on the project list shall be subject to a construction field audit at any time. The audit may be performed by employees of the DEPARTMENT or by an independent auditor on behalf of the DEPARTMENT. Local governments shall make a good faith effort to cooperate with GDOT employees or auditor(s).
13. The Local Government shall submit a project status letter each year to their local District Office. This documentation must be received and approved before subsequent LMIG Grants can be approved.
14. Upon completion of the LMIG project, the Local Government must notify their local District Office that the project list is complete and ready to be closed. The Local Government will also have to complete a “Statement of Final Expenditures” and submit to the local District Office.
15. All inspections, sampling and testing of the work will be the responsibility of the local government. Documentation of this work will not have to be submitted to the Department for review.
16. All local governments receiving LMIG funds are responsible for completing their own environmental documentation for proposed work.

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