It is hereby declared that the policies and procedures contained in this chapter are necessary and desirable for the orderly growth of urban communities in the state of North Dakota. It is the purpose of this chapter:
and to these ends this chapter shall be liberally construed. For the purposes of this chapter, contiguity will not be affected by the existence of a platted street or alley, a public or private right of way, or a public or private transportation right of way or area, or a lake, reservoir, stream, or other natural or artificial waterway between the annexing municipality and the land to be annexed.
N.D.C.C. § 40-51.2-02