State highway system: parks and recreation: accessibility for bicycles and pedestrians.

Existing law provides that the Department of Transportation has full possession and control of all state highways and all property and rights in property acquired for state highway purposes, including any portion of a state highway within a state park. Existing law also authorizes the department and any county having a park commission to enter into and carry out cooperative agreements for the grading, development, planting and maintenance of roadside areas, including a roadside park, along any state highway and within the right of way of that state highway. Existing law also authorizes the department to enter into any agreement with the United States or any federal department or agency when the construction of any federal facility or any feature of that facility requires construction, relocation, or other change in any state highway or bridge. This bill would, to the extent possible, and where feasible and cost effective, require the department to partner with appropriate public agencies, including, but not limited to, the Department of Parks and Recreation, any federal department or agency, and any regional or local public entity, to develop strategies and plans to improve access for bicycles and pedestrians to federal, state, regional, and local parks adjacent to or connected to the state highway system.