2. project description

2.1 Purposes and Objectives of the Project

2.1.1 HKSAR Government targets to commission Route 11 (section between Yuen Long and North Lantau) (hereinafter referred to as “Route 11”) not later than 2033 in order to meet the traffic demand arising from the anticipated population growth of multiple large-scale developments proposed in the Northwest New Territories (NWNT).

2.1.2 With the commissioning of Route 11, the traffic flows at Yuen Long Highway (YLH) between Lam Tei Quarry (LTQ) and Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange (TYSTI) are anticipated to exceed the traffic capacities during peak hours.

2.1.3 The objective of the Project is to improve the carrying capacity of the section of YLH between LTQ and TYSTI from a dual three-lane to a dual four-lane carriageway so as to complement the commissioning of Route 11 and support future developments in the NWNT.

2.2 Project Site Location and Site History

2.2.1 The Project is located at YLH section between Lam Tei Quarry and Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange. Figure 2.1 shows the location of the Project.

2.2.2 The existing YLH is a dual-3 highway which the last improvement works to YLH was completed in 2006. The Highway provides a trunk route between Tuen Mun and Yuen Long, traversing terrain which encompasses some cuttings to the south in the Tuen Mun area, whilst the northern section towards Yuen Long was constructed largely on embankments or retaining walls over alluvial flood plain. Major interchanges are sited at Tong Yan San Tsuen connecting Long Tin Road, the eastern distributor from Tin Shui Wai, and at Tin Shui Wai West interchange connecting Hung Tin Road. Also at Lam Tei Interchange, YLH connects to Tuen Mun Highway (Town Centre Section) and Kong Sham Western Highway with connections to future Tuen Mun Bypass to the Airport and Tuen Mun west and Route 11 to Lantau.

2.2.3 The works are located within statutory plans S/YL-TYST/14 & S/TM-LTYY/12. The area subject to the widening works is the verge of existing Yuen Long Highway, which is unallocated government land and green belt.

2.3 Need of the Project

2.3.1 The Route 11 TIA and the traffic data forecast carried out under WYLH TIA revealed that the traffic demand at YLH between LTQ and TYSTI will exceed the road capacity with the commissioning of Route 11 on or before 2036 and the progressive intakes of planned developments along YLH, such as Public Housing Developments at Long Bin, Yuen Long South Development, Tan Kwai Tsuen Public Housing Development, Ping Shan South Housing Development, LTQ Developments and Hung Shui Kiu / Ha Tsuen New Development Area (NDA), etc. the TIAs for the NWNT developments put forward by “CEDD and the Agreement No. CE 75/2019 (TT) – “Review of Highway Projects – Feasibility Study” managed by TD also indicated V/C ratio forecasts of similar order for this section of YLH.

2.3.2 To ameliorate the traffic condition at YLH between LTQ and TYSTI, the TIA for Route 11 and traffic forecast under WYLH recommended widening this highway section from a dual 3-lane to a dual 4-lane carriageway not later than 2036. The Route 11 TIA forecasted that after the widening, V/C ratio of YLH between LTQ and TYSTI would be reduced to 0.9 during peak hours in 2036 and 2041.

2.3.3 Further TIA was carried out under this Project. The widening of two sections of YLH, i.e. Lam Tei – Tin Shui Wai West Interchange and Tin Shui Wai West Interchange – Tong Yan San Tsuen sections will increase the road capacity. The performance will be significantly improved. The section of YLH at Tin Shui Wai West Interchange, which represent the section of YLH between the diverging point to the off-ramp and merging point to the on-ramp, will operate with sufficient capacity. Therefore, maintaining 3 lanes at the section of YLH at Tin Shui Wai West Interchange.

2.3.4 Besides, with the Project in place, the traffic flows on the slip road from Hung Tin Road to YLH eastbound will be generally increased. The slip road will therefore to be widened to 2-lane under this Project to provide additional capacities to cater for the traffic.

2.4 Proposed Project Design

2.4.1 The widening of two sections of YLH, i.e., Lam Tei - Tin Shui Wai West Interchange and Tin Shui Wai West Interchange - Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange sections, from existing dual-three lane to dual-four lane will increase the road capacity. Overall, the traffic performance will be improved with the widening. Meanwhile, the section of YLH at Tin Shui Wai West Interchange will operate with sufficient capacity. Therefore, TSWWI section would be maintained 3 lanes.

2.4.2 The overall Project includes:

· Widening of an approximately 1000-metre-long at-grade road section (with 20m long x 8m wide bridge deck at Shui Fu Road) of YLH between Lam Tei Quarry Interchange (LTQI) and Tin Shui Wai West Interchange (TSWWI) (the road levels at about +24 to +37 mPD) from existing dual-three lane to dual-four lane (additional 7.3m width carriageway) at eastbound and one side of the existing YLH supported by slope works, and existing central divider will be adjusted toward south between LTQI and future Ping Shan South Housing Development (PSS), and toward north between PSS and TSWWI (see Figure 2.3a – 2.3c);

· Widening of an approximately 600-metre-long at-grade road section of YLH between Tin Shui Wai West Interchange and Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange (the road levels at about +14 to +19 mPD) from existing dual-three lane to dual-four lane (additional 7.3m width carriageway) at westbound and one side of the YLH support by retaining structures, and existing central divider will be adjusted toward south between TSWWI and TYSYI (see Figure 2.3d – 2.3e);

· Widening of an approximately 300-metre-long at-grade slip road connecting Hung Tin Road (southbound) to Yuen Long Highway (eastbound) (the road levels at about +13 to +14 mPD) from existing one lane to two lanes (additional 3.65m width carriageway) support by retaining structures (see Figure 2.3d);

· Associated works including civil, geotechnical, slope, road drainage, waterworks, utilities, public lighting, landscaping works, sign gantries modification, noise barrier upgrading/re-provisioning works due to the widening of Yuen Long Highway, traffic control and surveillance system, re-provisioning of facilities affected by the proposed road works and environmental mitigation measures; and

· The interfacing works with other projects including.
- Proposed waterworks along YLH eastbound (between Tan Kwai Tsuen Road and Hung Tin Road) under Agreement No. CE 71/2020 (CE) - Hung Shui Kiu / Ha Tsuen New Development Area

- Proposed roadworks along YLH westbound (between TYSYI and TSWWI) under Agreement Nos. CE 58/2019(CE) & CE 16/2022(CE) for Yuen Long South Development

- Proposed roadworks at TSWWI and at slip road connecting Hung Tin Road (northbound) under Agreement No. CE 16/2022(CE) for Yuen Long South Development

- Proposed roadworks along YLH eastbound (between Tai To Tsuen Road and TSWWI) under Agreement No. CE 16/2022(CE) for Yuen Long South Development

2.5 Scenarios “With” and “Without” the Project

Without Project Scenario

2.5.1 Without the Project in place, the traffic loading on YLH is expected to increase continuously with the commissioning of Route 11 and the future development in Northwest New Territories (NWNT) and aggravate the congestion level during the peak hours. The higher traffic flow and longer traffic queues will result in higher vehicular traffic emissions as the traffic speed decreases during traffic congestion, leading to a greater degree of air quality and noise impacts to the area. The road traffic congestion could not be relieved, and the associated air and noise pollution could not be alleviated within the area without the Project.

With Project Scenario

2.5.2 With the widening of two sections of YLH, i.e., between Lam Tei - Tin Shui Wai West Interchange and Tin Shui Wai West Interchange - Tong Yan San Tsuen, the road capacity of YLH would be increased. The anticipated traffic demand arising from the commissioning of Route 11 and the population growth of multiple large-scale developments proposed in the Northwest New Territories (NWNT) including Public Housing Developments at Long Bin, Yuen Long South Development, Tan Kwai Tsuen Public Housing Developments, LTQ Developments and Hung Shu Kiu / Ha Tsuen New Development Area, etc., could be relieved.

2.5.3 Besides, it is an opportunity to alleviate the associated air and noise pollution within the area by means of improving traffic performance and establishing noise mitigation measures, which in turns reducing the vehicular emission and road traffic noise.

2.5.4 A summary of the environmental benefits and disbenefits with and without the Project is provided is Table 2.1.

Table 2.1 Summary of Environmental Benefits and Disbenefits With and Without the Project

Scenarios	Environmental Benefits	Environmental Disbenefits
With Project	· improving traffic performance which leading to less traffic congestion and lower vehicular traffic emissions · establishing noise mitigation measures	· C&D materials will be generated · The air quality and noise impact imposed on the existing Air Sensitive Receivers/ Noise Sensitive Receivers during construction stage. · Although there is a vehicular emission reduction owing to less traffic congestion for "with project", it is possible that there is a potential to have higher air quality impacts on the ASRs which are located closer to the widened road of the project.
Without Project	· No construction and demolition wastes generated · No construction-related environmental impacts to the area · No additional land requirement avoiding potential disturbance to the nearby environment	· Road traffic congestion could not be relieved, and the associated air and noise pollution to the existing Air Sensitive Receivers/ Noise Sensitive Receivers will get worse · Miss an opportunity to relieve environmental impacts to existing and planned Air Sensitive Receivers/ Noise Sensitive Receivers

2.6 Consideration of Different Widening Options

2.6.1 Due to the site constraints along both sides of Yuen Long Highway between Lam Tei (LT) to Tong Yan San Tsuen (TYST), the widening options were quite limited. Should the widening to the south, it would induce additional rock cut slope at adjacent area to the Tan Kwai Tsuen Public Housing Development, natural terrain hazard and road layouts developed by Yuen Long South Development Stages 2A at Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange and Stage 2B at Tin Shui Wai West Interchange (TSWWI). In addition, a number of trunk utilities were running along both sides of YLH including twin 1400mm dia. fresh watermains, 1000mm dia. salt water main, 750 mm dia. HP gas pipeline and etc. Different widening schemes are summarized in Table 2.2 and indicated in Figure 2.2.

Table 2.2 Evaluation of Different Widening Schemes

General Description	Scheme 1	Scheme 2	Scheme 3 (Recommended)
- Section of YLH between LT and TSWWI	Widening from dual 3-lane to dual 4-lane toward west	Widening from dual 3-lane to dual 4-lane toward west	Widening from dual 3-lane to dual 4-lane toward west
- Section of YLH at TSWWI	No widening works	Widening from dual 3-lane to dual 4-lane toward west with extensive bridgeworks	No widening works
- Section of YLH between TSWWI and TYSY	Widening from dual 3-lane to dual 4-lane both south and north	Widening from dual 3-lane to dual 4-lane toward north	Widening from dual 3-lane to dual 4-lane toward south
Land Matters	More land lots required. More slope works required. Encroachment to existing Hop Hing Building located at north of YLH near TYSY	More land lots required. More extensive slope works required. Encroachment to existing Hop Hing Building located at north of YLH near TYSY	Less land lots required. Less slope works required.
Utility Diversion	More impact to existing utility	Extensive impact to existing utility	Less impact to existing utility
Interface with planned projects	Encroachment to other planned projects is avoided	Extensive bridgeworks is anticipated at TSWWI where there is planned improvement works of TSWWI under Yuen Long South Development Large-scale temporary traffic arrangement at TSWWI would be required and induce traffic congestion	Encroachment to other planned projects is avoided
Engineering & Constructability	Less efficiency due to more slope works involved	Less efficiency due to more slope works and extensive bridgeworks involved	More efficiency with less slope works involved
Road safety	Design complies with road safety	Design complies with road safety	Design complies with road safety
Construction Programme	Longer construction period.	Longer construction period.	Shorter construction period.
Public disruption	Longer duration of public disruption due to longer construction period	Longer duration of public disruption due to longer construction period	Shorter duration of public disruption due to shorter construction period
Cost Implication	Higher construction cost	Higher construction cost	Lower construction cost
Air Quality Impact	More potential air quality impact during constructional stage due to more slope works	More potential air quality impact during constructional stage due to more slope works	Less air quality impact during construction as less slope works and shorter duration of construction
Noise Impact	More potential construction noise impact due to longer construction period and more slope works	More potential construction noise impact due to longer construction period and extensive slope works	Less construction noise impact as less slope works and shorter duration of construction
Water Quality Impact	No natural steam would be affected	No natural steam would be affected	No natural steam would be affected
Waste Management	More C&D material generated from slope works and utility diversion	More C&D material generated from extensive slope works and utility diversion	C&D material could be minimized as less excavation works
Ecological Impact	More habitat (such as Agricultural Land at Fui Sha Wai near north of TSWWI) loss as a result of more land required. Longer construction period may cause more disturbance impact.	More habitat (such as Agricultural Land at Fui Sha Wai near north of TSWWI) loss as a result of more land required. Longer construction period may cause more disturbance impact.	Less habitat loss as a result of less land requirement. Shorter construction period may cause less disturbance impact.
Landscape and Visual Impact	Less tree preserved due to more land requirement	Less tree preserved due to more land requirement	More tree preserved due to less land requirement
Cultural Heritage Impact	No cultural heritage would be affected	No cultural heritage would be affected	No cultural heritage would be affected

2.6.2 Due considerations have been given in road widening scheme to overcome environmental constraints encountered.

Avoidance of encroachment to existing Hop Hing Building located at north of YLH near TYSY

2.6.3 The works under the project have avoided any works encroached within Hop Hing Building land lot. Hence, the project area will not encroach into the location of chemical waste producer.

Minimisation of air quality impact during construction stage

2.6.4 Excavation works and slope works would cause dust during the constructional stage. In order to minimise the air quality impact to the neighborhood, the extent of ground excavation and scale of slope works have been minimised throughout the scheme selection. Less excavation and slope works would be required. Besides, dust suppression measures would be undertaken at the construction site.

Minimisation of noise impact during construction stage

2.6.5 In order to minimise the noise impact to the neighborhood, the shorter duration of construction period should be achieved. Less ground excavation and scale of slope works would be required under the road widening scheme. Mitigation measures including good site practices, adoption of quieter construction method /equipment, use of Quality Powered Mechanical Equipment (QPME), would be implemented at the construction site.

Minimisation of C&D Material

2.6.6 As an environmental initiative, the construction works at both sides to YLH would be avoided. After considering the site constraints and the anticipated environmental impact due to the construction works, the recommended scheme of widening of YLH would avoid the need of extensive slope works and minimized utility diversion. Hence, waste generation would be minimised and off-site disposal would also be reduced.

2.6.7 Based on the above considerations, the widening between LT and TSWWI would be taken place toward west of YLH, while the widening between TSWWI and TYSY would be taken place toward south of YLH, i.e. Scheme 3. The latest road widening scheme is shown in Figure 2.3.

2.7 Consideration of Alternative Construction Methods and Sequences of Works

2.7.1 It is anticipated that the existing cut slopes and fill slopes along the eastbound carriageway of YLH (between Shui Fu Road and Tai To Tsuen Road) will be modified to accommodate the additional traffic lanes for the road widening works for both bounds.

2.7.2 For the existing pedestrian subways (NS224A and NS184A), the reinforced box structures will be extended to match adjacent new retaining walls.

2.7.3 For the existing bridges spanning over existing Shui Fu Road, addition bridge will be formed for the road widening to span over the site constraints, the new bridge will be supported by bored piles or pre-bored H-piles as foundation. For the pre-bored H-piles or bored piles traditional piling methods will be used. The piers would be RC structure and the bridge deck may be cast-insitu or precast segmental bridges subject to the site constraints. Lifting cranes will be deployed for the bridge constructions.

2.7.4 Owing to proximity of the existing private lands to the YLH, extensive set back of the existing slopes towards the private land areas are not recommended in order to minimize the need of land resumption. Instead, new retaining structures will be proposed at the crest of existing fill slope or at the toe of existing cut slopes to support the widened YLH, and the remaining profile of the slopes will remain generally the same.

2.7.5 For the enhanced noise barriers or new noise barriers, prefabricated steel frame would be used in order not to frequently blocking the existing or sensitive Yuen Long Highway with large scale temporary traffic arrangements (TTA) on expressway.

2.7.6 The widening works are to be carried by conventional methods to minimize impact and endure road safety to the existing traffic as concerned by the relevant authorities. The widening would start with construction of new carriageway for extra eastbound traffic lanes. Upon interim operation of the new eastbound traffic lanes, the existing eastbound traffic lanes would be diverted to the newly completed carriageway, allowing working spaces for re-alignment of central median, such that the existing three-lane traffic in each direction of Yuen Long Highway could be maintained throughout the construction period. The general construction sequence is as follows:

1) Form fill/cut slopes or retaining structures along the northern side of YLH eastbound as site formation for utilities diversion of the affected trunk utilities;

2) Laying the new trunk utilities or watermains by the contractor or utilities undertakers and then connection to the unaffected section of the trunk utilities;

3) Carrying out foundation works, either base slabs for retaining structures/box structures for subways or piling for the bridge structures;

4) Construct piers or upper part of retaining structures

5) Erecting bridge deck by precast segment or cast-situ;

6) Backfilling retaining structures or embankments and then drainage works and parapet works; shifting the both bounds of YLS to north after replacing central median by temporary barriers with using TTA;

7) After shifting the YLH to north, removing the existing noise barriers and foundation of new noise barriers at YLH westbound would be carried out while the new noise barriers at eastbound will also be erected; afterward noise barrier panels would be erected;

8) Site formation for road and road pavement would be done for new carriageway;

9) Finally sign faces for sign gantry will be updated and replaced for the new dual 4-lane system and TCSS if necessary.

2.7.7 The proposed reinforced concrete (RC) superstructures would be cast-situ with either standard wooden formwork or steel formwork. Having considered the conventional and typical from of the superstructures, it is recommended to adopt steel formwork which is a more reusable and durable formwork system as far as practicable. Comparison of the merits and demerits of these two formwork systems is shown in Table 2.3 below.

Table 2.3 Comparison of Different Formwork Systems

Construction Methods	Wooden Formwork	Steel Formwork
Merits	Wood is readily available and relatively inexpensive Wood formwork is lightweight, easy to handle	Steel is a strong and durable material and recyclable Steel formwork is highly durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions, moisture, and repeated use Steel is stronger than wood and provides excellent structural stability
Demerits	Wooden formwork is susceptible to damage from moisture, weather conditions, and repeated use. Less recyclable material compared to steel Wood may deform or warp over time and additional supports and bracing are often required for concrete pouring	Steel is more expensive than wood. Steel formwork is heavier. Mechanical equipment used for handling is required.

2.7.8 The proposed bridge deck at Shui Fu Road under the project can be constructed by erecting precast segment or cast-situ method. Having considered the scale and site condition of the proposed bridge deck, it is recommended to adopt precast segment method which is a more effective and environmentally friendly approach. Comparison of the merits and demerits of these two construction methods is shown in Table 2.4 below.

Table 2.4 Comparison of Different Construction Methods for bridge deck at Shui Fu Road

Construction Methods	Precast Segment	Cast-situ
Merits	Minimise concrete mixing truck travelling in site area, thus minimise potential air and noise impact Shorten construction time, minimising on-site potential environmental impacts and cumulative environmental impacts with concurrent projects. Carry out precasting works in fabrication yard away from the site Better control of quality and workmanship for works in fabrication yard.	Conventional construction method and require relatively less special skilled labour when comparing with other construction methods. Durable and less maintenance cost.
Demerits	Require another trade of skilled workers and additional construction equipment for erecting precast segments.	Longer construction time to carry out bridge deck construction, i.e. span by span. Required concrete mixing truck and concrete pump truck travelling in site area, thus induce potential air and noise impact. Require substantial temporary steel platform / falsework for construction of the bridge deck section over existing live traffic. Use of timber formwork, thus more C&D waste/ materials will be generated.

2.7.9 There are existing utilities, such as twin 1400mm dia. fresh watermains, 1000mm dia. salt water main, 750mm dia. gas pipeline, running along side of YLH. After considering the site constraints and the anticipated environmental impact, the recommended scheme of widening of YLH would avoid the need of utility diversion between TSWWI and TYSYI.

2.7.10 The remaining utilities diversion works at the eastern portion (northern side of YLH eastbound section between Ping Shan South and TSWWI) would involve conventional trench excavation method. Excavated surfaces would be well compacted and the subsequent permanent work or surface protection should be carried out immediately after the final surfaces are formed to prevent erosion caused by rainstorms. Appropriate drainage like intercepting channels should be provided where necessary. Excavated materials arising from excavation works should be reused on-site as backfilling materials, as far as practicable, to minimise C&D materials.

2.7.11 Details of the construction methods are presented in below Table 2.5.

Table 2.5 Construction Methods

Construction Activities	Construction Methodology
Site Clearance & Utility Diversion	The proposed site clearance and utilities works include site formation, temporary road, drainage systems and utility diversion by undertakers to be carried out in advance before road widening works for YLH.
ELS Works (Sheet piling and excavation works)	The excavation and lateral support (ELS) is used for slope cutting or excavation in trench or area. ELS is to be carried out layer by layer together with excavation and installation of lateral supports. The surplus excavated inert Construction & Demolition material would be reused within the Project areas as far as practicable. Conventional backhoe will be used for the proposed earthworks.
Geotechnical Works	Near the hillside, soil nails or dowl bars will be used to reinforce the cut slope works.
Foundation and Substructure Works (Rebar fixing and concreting works)	The L-shape retaining walls will be in form of reinforced concrete (RC) L-shape walls founded at-grade. For the substructures for retaining wall on piles and bridges, bored piles/pre-bored H-piles will be used. Piling plant, crawl cranes will be deployed for the works. Desilting tanks will be used to recycle benite as agent for temporary support for the bored piling works. Temporary drainage arrangement will also be developed during the construction stage to avoid impact to the watercourse.
Road Upgrading Works (Backfill and reinstatement works)	Road works will be carried out section by section and the length of each active section of the construction site is about 100 m subject to approved temporary traffic arrangement (that the existing three-lane traffic in each direction of Yuen Long Highway will be maintained throughout the construction period, and no adverse environmental implications due to temporary traffic arrangement is anticipated). The works involve earthworks, utilities laying, backfilling, laying of sub-base materials and reinstatement of bituminous or concrete pavement with low-noise road surfacing as applicable on some road sections.
Construction of Superstructure Works Bridges and Noise Mitigation Works	Regarding the superstructure, given the long total length of noise barriers and limited working space, prefabricated frames and panels will be usually adopted and erected on site with appropriate temporary traffic arrangement. The superstructure will be in form of typical steel structures. For the bridges at Shui Fu Road to form additional carriageway width for widening works, precast beams or segments will be used and precast in offsite area in China or other parts of Hong Kong and transfer them to Hong Kong on site for erection. Appropriate temporary traffic arrangement will be used at local road (Fui Sha Wai South Road between Ping Shan South and TSWWI) as most widening works will be carried out outside the existing YLH. Heavy lifting machine will be deployed for the precast beams or segment erection.
Street Furniture	Street furniture works at roadside and slopes will be provided after road widening works and site formation works.

2.8 Construction Programme

2.8.1 The Project construction works are originally anticipated to commence in 2028 with completion of the Project not later than 2036. However, in order to match with adjacent updated development programme and updated Route 11 programme, the project construction works has been updated for full commissioning on or before 2033. Advance utilities diversion works at the eastern portion will be commenced in 2026 and full commissioning of the Project will be in 2032. The construction sequence of the project is to widen in stages with three-lane traffic in each direction of Yuen Long Highway maintained throughout the construction period.

2.8.2 Key construction works period is listed in Table 2.6.

Table 2.6 Key Construction Works of the project

Description	Tentative Construction Period	Potential environmental impact	Mitigation measures
Utilities Diversion works at the eastern portion (northern side of YLH eastbound section between Ping Shan South and TSWWI)	Q3 2026 – Q4 2028	potential dusty work water quality impact due to construction site drainage	Mitigation measures for air quality and water quality impact were proposed in Section 3 and 5 respectively
Site Formation at YLH eastbound	Q1 2029 – Q1 2030	potential dusty work construction noise impact water quality impact due to construction site drainage	Mitigation measures for air quality, noise and water quality impact were proposed in Section 3, 4 and 5 respectively
Road Widening at YLH eastbound	Q1 2030 – Q2 2031	construction noise impact water quality impact due to construction site drainage	Mitigation measures for noise and water quality impact were proposed in Section 4 and 5 respectively
Site Formation at YLH westbound	Q1 2030 – Q3 2030	potential dusty work construction noise impact water quality impact due to construction site drainage	Mitigation measures for air quality, noise and water quality impact were proposed in Section 3, 4 and 5 respectively
Road Widening at YLH westbound	Q2 2031 – Q4 2031	construction noise impact water quality impact due to construction site drainage	Mitigation measures for noise and water quality impact were proposed in Section 4 and 5 respectively
Noise Barrier Construction and associated works	Q1 2023 – Q4 2032	construction noise impact	Mitigation measures for noise impact was proposed in Section 4

2.9 Concurrent Projects

2.9.1 With a view to assess the cumulative impacts to the Project, a list of concurrent projects is identified based on the available information at the time of submission of this EIA. It should be noted that the implementation of individual projects would be subject to further development and subsequent actions of the respective project proponents.

2.9.2 Table 2.7 and Figure 2.4 summarise the concurrent projects that would contribute to the cumulative environmental impacts during construction and/or operational phase. In addition, the construction of the project should be coordinated with the implementation for concurrent projects to minimise impacts and where possible reduce the period of disturbance.

Table 2.7 Concurrent Projects

Item	Agreement no. and Project Title	Description	Tentative Implementation	Potential Cumulative Impacts
				Construction phase	Operation phase
1	CE 42/2016 (CE) Environmentally-Friendly Transport Services in Hung Shui Kiu New Development Area and Adjacent Areas - Feasibility Study	A new Green transit system in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area	Phase 1: Year 2027 – 2030/31 Phase 2: Year 2032 – 2036 Phase 3: Year 2034 – 2038	Cumulative construction dust impact was evaluated in Section 3 Cumulative construction noise impact was evaluated in Section 4	Cumulative operation noise impact arisen from the concurrent project was considered in this study
2	CE 13/2021 (HY) Route 11 (Section between Yuen Long and Lantau)	A new highway linking Lam Tei and Lantau	No later than Year 2033	Cumulative construction dust impact was evaluated in Section 3	Cumulative operation noise and air impact arisen from the concurrent project was considered in this study
3	CE 75/2017(CE) Site Formation and Infrastructure Works for Public Housing Developments at Long Bin, Yuen Long	A public housing development to meet housing needs	Year 2020 - 2026	Not anticipated in view of no overlapping construction period	Not anticipated in view of the nature of the concurrent project.
4	CE 92/2017(CE) Site Formation and Infrastructure Works for Public Housing Development near Tan Kwai Tsuen, Yuen Long	A public housing development to meet housing needs	Year 2022 - 2027	Not anticipated in view of no overlapping construction period	Not anticipated in view of the nature of the concurrent project.
5	CE 32/2017(CE), CE 58/2019(CE) & CE 16/2022(CE) Yuen Long South Development	A new development area to meet housing needs	2022 – 2038	Cumulative construction dust impact was evaluated in Section 3 Cumulative construction noise impact was evaluated in Section 4	Not anticipated in view of the nature of the concurrent project.
6	CE 71/2020(CE) Hung Shui Kiu / Ha Tsuen New Development Area	A new development area to meet housing needs	2020 – 2038	Cumulative construction dust impact was evaluated in Section 3 Cumulative construction noise impact was evaluated in Section 4	Not anticipated in view of the nature of the concurrent project.
7	CE 36/2018(CE) Preliminary Technical Review on Potential Sites in Yuen Long Areas 13 and 14 for Housing Development	A public housing development to meet housing needs	Year 2025 - 2032	Cumulative construction dust impact was evaluated in Section 3	Not anticipated in view of the nature of the concurrent project.

2.9.3 Environmental assessments have been conducted for the existing, committed and planned Sensitive Receiver(s) which earmarked on the relevant Outline Zoning Plans, Development Permission Area Plans, Outline Development Plans, Layout Plans and other relevant published land use plans, including plans and drawings published by the Lands Department and any land use and development applications approved by the Town Planning Board, in the vicinity of the Project.

2.9.4 Owing to close proximity to various planned public housing development (such as Ping Shan South and Tan Kwai Tsuen) in the vicinity of this Project, considerations especially in minimization of noise impact to the planned public housing developments have been taken into account in this assessment. As agreed with the Housing Department, at-receiver mitigation measures (i.e. installation of acoustic windows) would be provided at the proposed public housing development at Ping Shan South and Tan Kwai Tsuen. Sections 3 to 10 detail the results.

2.10 Public Consultation

2.10.1 A public inspection of the project profile was conducted from 7 to 20 Jun 2022 and public comments were received. The key comments received are summarised in Table 2.8.

Table 2.8 Key comments received during public inspection of the project profile

Key Issue	Public Comment	Action / Response
Air Quality and Health Index	There were concerns about many concurrent development projects interfacing with the project. A comprehensive cumulative air pollution impact assessment was then recommended during the EIA	The cumulative air quality impact during operation phase which takes into account the concurrent projects in the vicinity has also been included. Continuous monitoring of dust will be conducted during construction phase.
Traffic and Transport Impact	There were concerns about traffic jam issue during construction phase. Adverse air quality impact might be resulted due to the traffic jam during the construction phase.	Construction Traffic Impact Assessment has been conducted for the project. No adverse impact to the traffic is anticipated.
Waste Management	There were concerns about the waste management of construction and demolition (C&D) materials, chemical wastes, refuse, etc. Also, illegal disposal of waste should be monitored and penalized.	The waste management implication has been assessed in the EIA, Chapter 6. Trip-ticket system would be adopted to monitor the disposal of C&D materials at public filling facilities and landfills and to control fly-tipping. Stockpiling area should be provided with covers and water spraying system to prevent materials from wind-blown or being washed away. Proper construction site drainage should be provided.
Bird Collision	There were concerns about bird collision to noise barriers/enclosures and screen hoardings	It is anticipated that the number of birds passing through is low due to the highly disturbed nature as recorded in the assessment. Bird friendly design of noise barriers would be provided to further reduce the bird collision.
Site Boundary	There was concern about the extend of the environmental impact assessment, i.e. the” project limit” mentioned in drawing no. HMW2003-SK1029.	The assessment area for the EIA study, as specified in the EIA Study Brief, has been followed.

2.10.2 The Project has been presented in Ping Shan Heung Rural Committee, Yuen Long District Council Meeting and Tuen Mun District Council Meeting on 29 August 2023, 4 September 2023 and 11 September 2023 respectively The road widening project was supported by relevant District Council and Rural Committee. Besides, no major environmental concern was received from the public.

2.11 Reference Environmental Permits

2.11.1 It is noted that the section of YLH between Lam Tei and Tong Yan San Tsuen under this Project is already covered under 2 existing Environmental Permits (EPs). The details of these 2 EPs are summarized in Table 2.9.

Table 2.9 Relevant EPs

EP no.	EP Title	Location
EP-163/2003/H	Deep Bay Link and Widening of Yuen Long Highway between Lam Tei and Shap Pat Heung (Lam Tei to Tan Kwai Tsuen Section)	Yuen Long Highway (section between Lam Tei and Tan Kwai Tsuen)
EP-141/2002/A	Widening of Yuen Long Highway between Lam Tei and Shap Pat Heung Interchange	Yuen Long Highway (section between Lam Tei and Shap Pat Heung)

2.11.2 A new EP covering the section of YLH between Lam Tei and Tong Yan San Tsuen assessed under this EIA study will be applied under this Project. In this connection, applications for Variation of the 2 existing EPs will be submitted to surrender the overlapping section of YLH. As a result, there will not be a section of YLH covered by 2 EPs.