Upon application of the municipal officers of any municipality, the Department of Transportation may permit, subject to the statutes governing the allocation of highway funds to municipalities and the expenditure of same, such municipality to expend highway funds made available by the State to such municipality to match federal funds in the sponsoring of work projects for the improvement and construction of ways and bridges in such municipality. Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing the department or the municipal officers of any municipality to ignore or disregard an express authorization from the Legislature in regard to the use of any funds for any expressly designated purpose.   [PL 1971, c. 593, §22 (AMD).]