1
Introduction
1.1.1
The opening of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor (HK-SWC)
and Deep Bay Link (DBL) in 2007 will undoubtedly increase the east-west traffic
in Northwest New Territories. It
is anticipated that most of this additional cross-boundary traffic will make
use of Tuen Mun Road (TMR) to access the urban areas. There is some general public concern that the Town Centre
Section of TMR (TCSTMR) will be overloaded after commissioning of HK-SWC and
DBL.
1.1.2
TMR is the major east-west transport corridor in the
Northwest New Territories. The
section of TCSTMR (from Lam Tei to Sam Shing Hui) is currently operating close
to its capacity. This section is
the most critical section of TMR as the number of traffic lanes reduces from
three to two at a number of interchanges.
Tsing Tin Interchange is one of these interchanges which is a dual
2-lane carriageway. The traffic
conditions of this interchange will inevitably be worsened by the additional
traffic from HK-SWC. Hence,
traffic improvement scheme is considered necessary to relieve the traffic
congestion at this section of road.
1.1.3
The traffic improvement scheme involves widening of TMR at
Tsing Tin Interchange from a dual two-lane to dual three-lane arrangement. The location of the Project site is
shown in Figure 1.1.
1.2.1
The
widening of Tuen Mun Road at Tsing Tin Interchange (“the Project”) is classified as a
Designated Project under Schedule 2, part 1, A.1 of the Environmental Impact
Assessment Ordinance (EIAO).
Environmental Permit issued under the EIAO is required for the construction and operation
of the Project.
1.2.2
An
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been undertaken to provide
information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction and
operation of the
Project and
all related
activities taking place concurrently.
1.2.3
This
Executive Summary provides a summary of the key findings of the EIA study,
including an assessment of potential air quality, noise, water quality, waste, ecology, hazard
to life, cultural heritage, visual and landscape impacts from the construction and
operation phases of the Project, and recommendations for mitigation measures to
comply with environmental legislations and standards.
1.2.4
Alternative
design schemes and alignment options have been thoroughly considered and
environmentally friendly design has been adopted to avoid / minimize impact to
the surrounding
sensitive receivers and
areas of ecological importance where possible.