1                      INTRODUCTION

1.1                  Project Background

1.1.1              The title of the Project is “Widening of Tsuen Wan Road and the associated junction improvement works” (hereafter referred to as the Project).

1.1.2              In 2006, Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) engaged consultants to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) under an Investigation Assignment with the project title “Tsuen Wan Road Bypass, Widening of Tsuen Wan Road between Tsuen Tsing Interchange and Kwai Tsing Interchange, and Associated Junction Improvement Works”. The EIA studied the impacts of the project on noise, air quality, water quality, construction waste, cultural heritage, landfill gas hazard, hazard to life, ecology, visual and landscape on both existing and planned developments during construction and operation stages. The EIA report was approved under the EIA Ordinance in December 2008 (EIA Register No.: AEIAR-124/2008).

1.1.3              In 2009, CEDD commissioned a Design and Construction (D&C) Assignment on “Tsuen Wan Bypass, Widening of Tsuen Wan Road between Tsuen Tsing Interchange and Kwai Tsing Interchange, and Associated Junction Improvement Works” (the TWB project) to cater for the anticipated increase in traffic demand arising from the developments in the Northwest New Territories, the commissioning of West Rail and its associated property developments as well as other planned developments in Tsuen Wan. By comparing the results of the traffic survey conducted in 2012 with that conducted in 2006, it was revealed that there was a general decrease in the peak hour traffic volume between 2006 and 2012. Moreover, the projected traffic peak hour flow in 2021 as forecast in the survey conducted in 2012 also demonstrated a drop as compared with the traffic flow in 2006.

1.1.4              In view of the foregoing, CEDD concluded that there was still adequate road capacity for Tsuen Wan Road (TWR) by 2021 and there was no imminent need to implement the TWB project by that time. It was then agreed in June 2013 to defer the implementation programme of the TWB project.

1.1.5              Since then, Transport Department (TD) conducted traffic counts from 2013 and 2015. The traffic counts revealed a general increase in peak hour traffic in 2013 and 2014 when compared with the findings of CEDD’s traffic survey conducted in 2012, while the peak hour traffic in 2015 remained steady.

1.1.6              Highways Department (HyD) subsequently took over the project from CEDD. HyD’s traffic review study on TWR traffic conditions conducted in 2016 revealed that the widening of TWR and improvement of associated junctions were needed to cope with the future traffic demand.

1.1.7              On 23 May 2019, HyD commissioned AECOM Asia Co. Ltd. to undertake the assignment of Agreement No. CE 61/2018 (HY) Widening of Tsuen Wan Road, Extension of Existing Vehicular Bridge at Texaco Road and the Associated Junction Improvement Works – Investigation. The purpose of the investigation assignment is to examine and review the Initial Scheme, which was basically formulated under the aforementioned CEDD’s D&C Assignment, develop other feasible build forms / alignment options (other Schemes) for the Project. By comparing and evaluating the Initial Scheme and all other Schemes developed, based upon traffic, environmental and land considerations amongst other factors, the Preferred Scheme will be formulated and taken forward to the detailed design and construction stages of the Project.

1.1.8              Since approval of the abovementioned EIA report (EIA Register No.: AEIAR-124/2008) in 2008, there are new developments and new sensitive receivers within the study area as well as new assessment requirements for the Project, together with potential changes in project scope, a fresh EIA study is considered required for the Preferred Scheme.

1.1.9              The Project site is located within an urban area and ecological impacts are not expected.

1.2                  Designated Projects under Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance

1.2.1              A Project Profile (No. PP-624/2021) was submitted to the EPD on 17 June 2021 for application for an EIA Study Brief under section 5(7)(a) of the EIAO and the EIA Study Brief No. ESB-343/2021 for the Project was issued on 23 July 2021 under the EIAO.

1.2.2              The Project comprises the following which are classified as a Designated Project (DP) under Part I, Schedule 2 of the EIAO[1]:

1.2.3              Item A.1 - A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to existing roads

The new road sections under the Project comprise road types of expressway and primary distributor.  Besides, the following items under the scope of works also constitute a DP item under A.1:

·         Widening of individual road sections of TWR which is an expressway;

·         Construction of a two-lane slip road connecting TWR (Tuen Mun bound) and Hoi Hing Road (Slip Road E) which is a primary distributor (PD); and

·         Construction of a single-lane slip road to provide a direct access from Tsing Tsuen Road (Tsuen Wan bound) to TWR (Kowloon bound) in front of Wing Kei Road Flyover (Slip Road C) (i.e. a potential item as its implementation is yet to be ascertained and subject to further traffic review) which is a primary distributor (PD).

1.2.4              Item A.8 - A road or railway bridge more than 100 m in length between abutments

The construction of Slip Road C (potential) and Slip Road E, which are approximately 670m and 380m long respectively, is hence a DP under Item A.8 of Schedule 2, Part 1 of the EIAO.

1.3                  Purpose of the EIA Study

1.3.1              The purpose of the EIA study is to provide information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of the Project and the associated works that take place concurrently.  This information will contribute to decisions on:

·         the overall acceptability of any adverse environmental consequences that are likely to arise as a result of the Project;

·         the conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction and operation of the Project to mitigate against adverse environmental consequences wherever practicable; and

·         the acceptability of residual impacts after the proposed mitigation measures are implemented.

1.4                  Objectives of this EIA Study

1.4.1              The objectives of this EIA study as defined in Section 2 of the EIA Study Brief are as follows:

(i)         to describe the Project and associated works together with the requirements and environmental benefits for carrying out the proposed Project;

(ii)        to identify and describe the elements of the community and environment likely to be affected by the Project and/or likely to cause adverse impacts to the Project, including both the natural and man-made environment and the associated environmental constraints;

(iii)       to identify and quantify emission sources and determine the significance of impacts on sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

(iv)       to identify any adverse impacts on sites of cultural heritage and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;

(v)        to propose the provision of infrastructure or mitigation measures so as to minimise pollution, environmental disturbance and nuisance during construction and operation of the Project;

(vi)       to investigate the feasibility, effectiveness and implications of the proposed mitigation measures;

(vii)      to identify, predict and evaluate the residual (i.e. after practicable mitigation) environmental impacts and the cumulative effects expected to arise during the construction and operation phases of the Project in relation to the sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

(viii)     to identify, assess and specify methods, measures and standards, to be included in the detailed design, construction and operation of the Project which are necessary to mitigate these residual environmental impacts and cumulative effects and reduce them to acceptable levels;

(ix)       to identify potential hazard to life impacts and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;

(x)        to design and specify the environmental monitoring and audit requirements; and

(xi)       to identify any additional studies necessary to implement the mitigation measures of monitoring and proposals recommended in the EIA report.

 

1.5                  Structure of the EIA Report

1.5.1              The objectives and scope of the EIA study are provided in this Section 1.  The project background and descriptions are provided in Section 2.  Sections 3 to 11 detail the results of the environmental impact assessment of each key subject area, covering relevant legislation, environmental conditions, assessment criteria, methodology, assessment findings, and proposed mitigation measures.

1.5.2              Section 3 to 11 are outlined as follows:

·         Section 3: Air Quality Impact

·         Section 4: Noise Impact

·         Section 5: Water Quality Impact

·         Section 6: Waste Management Implication

·         Section 7: Land Contamination

·         Section 8: Landfill Gas Hazard

·         Section 9: Hazard to Life Review

·         Section 10: Cultural Heritage

·         Section 11: Landscape and Visual Impact

1.5.3              An outline of the requirements for the Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) is presented in Section 12.  The EM&A programme is presented in detail in a separate EM&A Manual.  A summary of environmental outcomes is provided in Section 13 and a conclusion of the whole assessment is given in Section 14.



1 Amendment of Schedule 2 of EIAO takes effect since 30 June 2023. (https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202306/30/P2023063000275.htm?fontSize=1)