[§264-142]  Ground transportation facilities.  (a)  The department shall develop and implement a plan for the establishment of the following:

     (1)  A contiguous network of motor vehicle highways connecting communities throughout each island, in which intersections with other modes of transportation shall be minimized and a priority and preference for access shall be given to public mass transportation;

     (2)  A contiguous network of bicycle and electric bicycle highways or pathways connecting communities throughout each island, in which intersections with other modes of transportation shall be minimized; provided that the bicycle and electric bicycle highways and pathways shall be separated and protected from vehicular traffic by physical or natural barriers or by meaningful distance or elevation; and

     (3)  A contiguous network of pedestrian highways or pathways connecting communities throughout each island, in which intersections with other modes of transportation shall be minimized; provided that the pedestrian highways and pathways shall be separated and protected from vehicular and bicycle traffic by physical or natural barriers, or by meaningful distance or elevation.

     (b)  Within each community the department shall coordinate with the applicable county to develop a comprehensive plan for the establishment of any portion of the following within the department or county's jurisdiction, as applicable:

     (1)  A contiguous network of bicycle and pedestrian pathways connecting all public schools and libraries in each school complex area to one another, and to its respective state and county transportation infrastructure, in which intersections with other modes of transportation shall be minimized; provided that the pathway network shall be separated and protected from vehicular traffic by physical or natural barriers, or by meaningful distance or elevation;

     (2)  A contiguous network of bicycle and pedestrian pathways connecting commercial business and shopping hubs to residential areas, and to its respective state and county transportation infrastructure, in which intersections with other modes of transportation shall be minimized; provided that the pathway network shall be separated and protected from vehicular traffic by physical or natural barriers, or by meaningful distance or elevation; and

     (3)  Pedestrian exercise and active health pathways of meaningful length in which intersections with other modes of transportation shall be minimized; provided that these pathways shall be separated and protected from vehicular traffic by physical or natural barriers, or by meaningful distance or elevation, and easily accessible to residential and high density communities where appropriate. [L 2021, c 131, pt of §2]