2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
2.1 Planning Overview
In 1992 the West Kowloon Reclamation Planning and Urban Design Study culminated in the preparation of an Outline Development Plan (ODP) and a Master Landscape Plan for the West Kowloon Reclamation. The ODP was prepared in the strategic context of the Metroplan Interim Development Statement for West Kowloon and had specific objectives to fulfil. Subsequently the West Kowloon Development Statement (WKDS) was completed in 1993 which transposed the Metroplan targets into specific district planning requirements for West Kowloon Reclamation. Various other planning studies have been commissioned in the intervening period which were reviewed in the context of the West Kowloon Reclamation Comprehensive Traffic Analysis Review & Environmental Impact Assessment Study (completed in June 1997).
2.2 Link Road G & L
Link Roads G & L were included in the original West Kowloon Reclamation Master Layout Plan. At the time of detailed design these connections were designed to the prevailing highway standards. Subsequently Transport Department requested that the radius of Link Road L be extended, for safety reasons, from radius 44m to radius 63m. The implication of this is that the Link Road L is closer to the sensitive receivers at Mei Foo Sun Chuen. As a consequence of this design change the effects in terms of road traffic noise and vehicle emissions on the sensitive receivers must be reassessed.
Due to spatial and engineering constraints it is not possible to make the necessary provision for connection to the Lan Wai Interchange or to Road D3 in any other manner than that currently proposed.
The EIA study has been conducted in such a manner as to address all environmental aspects of the activities and includes technical assessments of on specific impacts as follows :
The criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing air quality impacts as stated in Annexes 4 and 12 of the Technical Memorandum, respectively have been followed for an area defined by a distance of 500mm from the boundary of the project area (refer to Figure 1.1). For construction impacts the requirements of the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation for dust control have been followed. A monitoring and audit programme has been developed which will be carried out during the construction stage to ensure construction dust impacts are controlled within the relevant standards as stipulated in Annex 4 of the TM.
The criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing noise impact as stated in Annexes 5 and 13 of the TM have been used for the assessment of construction noise and traffic based vehicle noise.
The criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing waste management implications as stated in Annexes 7 and 15 of the TM.
Environmental Monitoring and Audit
One of the outcomes of the EIA study has been to determine the need for any EM&A activities during the construction and operation phases of the project. According to the Study Brief an operational noise monitoring programme should be proposed to verify the traffic noise predictions or the effectiveness of any noise mitigation measures.
2.4 Site Location and Site History
The site was formed by reclamation as part of the West Kowloon Reclamation Project undertaken by Territory Development Department in the last decade. The site location is to the southeast of Mei Foo Sun Chuen. Since the land was reclaimed, a number of construction contracts have been carried out in the area including those for the Airport Railway, West Kowloon Expressway and other local road networks.
2.5 Nature, Scope and Benefits of the Project
Link Roads G & L are required to make the connections with Lan Wai Interchange and Road D3. Without these two connections the consequences will be congestion of traffic, mainly heavy goods vehicles, in the West Kowloon Reclamation area which will result in increased ambient noise levels and will contribute to a further deterioration in local air quality.
2.6 Scale of the Project
Under the proposed Project – West Kowloon Reclamation Remaining Roadworks Stage 4, two link roads (Link Roads G and L) will be constructed within the site to complete the roadworks for the existing Lai Wan Interchange. A total of 19640m2 of road surfacing either on earth embankment or road bridges will be constructed. Link Road L will lead the traffic from Lai Wan Interchange to P1(S/B) while Link Road G will take the traffic from West Kowloon Expressway to Road D3.
2.7 Project Timetable and Phasing of the Project
The original intention was to start the construction of the Link Roads G & L in June 2001 for completion in June 2003. However, due to the revision of their geometry, a supplementary EIA Study was required and this may delay the construction programme (shown in Figure 2.1) subject to the timing of the approval of this EIA Report.
2.8 Means by Which the Project will be Implemented
The Project will be funded by TDD and a construction contract will be tendered for the construction work. Mott MacDonald HK Ltd. will be the Engineer supervising the Contract.
2.9 Scope and Duration of Construction Activities
The construction work involved will primarily be filling for embankment, bored pile foundation for bridges, bridge superstructure works, roadworks and laying of different utilities. The duration of the construction contract is approximately 2 years.
2.10 Background and History of the Project
The proposed roadworks have been designed as part of the overall road network for the West Kowloon Reclamation Project in the last decade. West Kowloon Expressway and the majority of Lai Wan Interchange have been completed following the original detailed design. There is little scope for changing the design of the Link Roads in terms of options and alignment to suit the as-built portion of the roadworks due to spatial and engineering constraints.
2.11 Description of Scenarios without the Project
Lai Wan Interchange will not be completed without this Project. This will affect the final connection to Road D3 to suit the proposed Route 9 Project and the land in the vicinity of Lai Wan Interchange cannot be efficiently utilised. In addition to which traffic congestion is anticipated resulting in a reduction in overall air quality in the area with an increase in ambient noise levels.