A full-fledged and well-structured Design Unit is maintained by LGED to provide structural design support as well as verification of designs submitted by different projects.

Generally, AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) LRFD (Load and Resistance Factor Design) Bridge Design specification is followed in case of bridge design. For building design BNBC (Bangladesh National Building Code) code is normally followed. In special cases American Concrete Institute, ACI code is also applied for building design, while Rural Road Design Standard-2005, TRL Road Note-31 are used for road design.

Design Unit & LGED put extra effort to design earthquake resilient structures, long span bridges, high rise and multi storied buildings.

The unit also extends consultancy support to various ministries/agencies other than works under the rules of business of LGED. Some of these services were provided to Bangladesh Institute of Resource and Training on Applied Nutrition (BIRTAN), Bangabandhu Academy for Poverty Alleviation and Rural Development (BAPARD), Jatiyo Mohila Sangstha, Joyeeta Foundation, Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, Land Ministry and Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.

Design Unit is headed by two Superintending Engineers- one for bridge design and the other for road and building design. They are supported by required manpower. It is fully computerized. Design and analysis is done by using latest version of authorized applications such as Staad. Pro v8i, Midas Civil, SAP 2000, Etabs Ult, CSI Bridge, Gear, LPILE and Staad. Foundation etc. Drafting personnel in Design Unit are well experienced. All Drafting works are performed by AutoCAD 2019.