3                    aIR qUALITY

3.1              Introduction

3.1.1          This section presents an air quality impact assessment during construction and operation phases of the proposed Wan Chai Development Phase II works.   

 

3.2              Environmental Legislation, Policies, Plans, Standards and Criteria

3.2.1          The criteria for evaluating air quality impacts and the guidelines for air quality assessment are laid out in Annex 4 and Annex 12 of the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM), respectively.

3.2.2          The Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO) provides the statutory authority for controlling air pollutants from a variety of sources.  The ordinance encompasses a number of Air Quality Objectives (AQOs) which stipulate maximum concentrations for a range of pollutants, of which Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Respirable Suspended Particulates (RSP) and Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) are relevant to this study.  The relevant AQOs are listed in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1         Hong Kong Air Quality Objectives

Parameter

Maximum Average Concentration (µg m-3) (1)

 

1 Hour (2)

8 Hours (3)

24 Hours (3)

Annual (4)

NO2

300

-----

150

80

RSP

-----

-----

180

55

CO

30,000

10,000

-----

-----

TSP

500 (5)

-----

260

80

Note:       (1)   Measured at 298 K and 101.325 kPa.

                (2)   Not to be exceeded more than three times per year.

(3)     Not to be exceeded more than once per year.

(4)     Arithmetic mean.

(5)     Not an AQO.  However, in addition to the established legislative controls, it is accepted that an hourly average TSP concentration of 500 µg m-3 should not be exceeded.

 

3.3              Description of the Environment

Baseline Conditions

3.3.1          As agreed with the EPD, the annual average concentrations of the pollutants measured at EPD’s Central / Western and Central Station air quality monitoring stations in 1999 have been adopted as the background air quality within and adjacent to the WDII development area.  Table 3.2 summarises the annual average concentrations of the pollutants in 1999.

Table 3.2     Annual Average Concentrations of Pollutants in 1999

Pollutant

Annual Average Concentration in 1999 (mg m-3)

Monitoring Stations

CO

1,179

Central

NO2

56

Central / Western

RSP

53

Central / Western

TSP

81

Central / Western

 

3.3.2          The annual average concentrations of the pollutants were used as the background concentrations for the cumulative impact assessment.

 

3.4              Sensitive Receivers

3.4.1          Existing and planned Air Sensitive Receivers (ASRs) including domestic premises, commercial buildings, educational institutions, and recreational and leisure facilities have been identified for air quality impact assessment.

3.4.2          The identified ASRs are listed in Table 3.3 and the corresponding locations are shown in Figures 3.1a and 3.1b.

Table 3.3         Locations of Air Sensitive Receivers

ASRs

Section

Location

Existing / Planned Land Use

No. of floors

 

Horizontal Distance (m)

Alignment*

Ventilation Building

 

 

Existing

 

 

 

 

 

A1

Sheung Wan

Shun Tak Centre

Commercial

30

20

648

1

A2

Sheung Wan

Korea Centre

Residential

13

12

654

1

A3

Sheung Wan

Wing On Centre

Commercial

24

9

606

1

A4

Central

Vicwood Plaza

Commercial

27

32

527

1

A5

Central

Harbour Building

G/IC

26

16

407

1

A6

Central

Crocodile Building

Commercial

20

214

321

1

A7

Central

Hang Sang Bank Headquarters

Commercial

25

260

313

1

A8

Central

Exchange Square III

Commercial

26

246

271

1

A9

Central

Exchange Square I & II

Commercial

45

208

281

1

A10

Central

Exchange Square I & II

Commercial

45

280

341

1

A11

Central

Jardine House

Commercial

46

248

360

1

A12

Central

Jardine House

Commercial

46

287

384

1

A13

Central

Statue Square

Recreation

0

313

510

1

A14

Central

Hong Kong Club Building

Commercial

16

282

561

1

A15

Central

City Hall

G/IC

11

120

534

1

A16

Central

City Hall

G/IC

11

244

530

1

A17

Central

Furama Hotel

Commercial

23

260

619

1

A18

Central

Hutchison House

Commercial

18

257

683

1

A19

Central

Bank of America Tower

Commercial

33

256

723

2

A20#

Central

PLA Headquarters

Others

4

92

604

2

A21

Central

PLA Headquarters

Others

21

204

648

1

A22#

Central

Far East Financial Centre

Commercial

40

310

630

2

A23#

Central

Admiralty Centre

Commercial

48

341

579

2

A24#

Central

Harcourt Garden

Recreation

0

328

423

2

A25#

Wanchai

Police Headquarters

G/IC

7

306

322

2

A26#

Wanchai

HK Academy for Performing Arts

G/IC

9

186

212

2

A27#

Wanchai

Arts Centre

G/IC

10

200

196

2

A28#

Wanchai

Citic Tower

Commercial

42

160

327

2

A29#

Wanchai

Servicemen's Guides Association

Commercial

3

116

169

2

A30#

Wanchai

HK Academy for Performing Arts

G/IC

9

160

132

2

A31#

Wanchai

Shui On Centre

Commercial

34

190

228

2

A32#

Wanchai

Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC)

Commercial

46

60

356

2

A33#

Wanchai

Pedestrian plaza

Recreation

0

95

146

2

A34#

Wanchai

HKCEC Extension

Commercial

8

100

276

2

A35#

Wanchai

Great Eagle Centre

Commercial

27

112

494

3

A36#

Wanchai

Causeway Centre

Residential

42

178

396

3

A37#

Wanchai

Wanchai Swimming Pool

Recreation

3

58

281

3

A38#

Wanchai

Wanchai Sports Ground

Recreation

0

74

144

3

A39#

Wanchai

SPCA

G/IC

6

62

95

3

A40#

Wanchai

Gloucester Road 169-170

Residential

12

298

364

3

A41#

Wanchai

Gloucester Road 210

Residential

18

276

300

3

A42#

Wanchai

Gloucester Road 226

Residential

22

266

290

3

A43#

Causeway Bay

Elizabeth House

Residential

21

242

303

3

A44#

Causeway Bay

Sino Plaza

Commercial

33

206

368

3

A45#

Causeway Bay

World Trade Centre

Commercial

34

168

493

3

A46#

Causeway Bay

Excelsior Hotel

Commercial

28

160

525

3

A47#

Causeway Bay

Riviera Mansion

Residential

15

166

564

3

A48#

Causeway Bay

Marco Polo Mansion (northern facade)

Residential

15

152

663

3

A49#

Causeway Bay

Marco Polo Mansion (eastern facade)

Residential

15

148

703

3

A50#

Causeway Bay

Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club

Recreation

3

40

317

3

A51#

Causeway Bay

Police Officers Club (Tennis Courts)

Recreation

0

96

301

3

A52#

Causeway Bay

Police Officers Club (Bowling Green)

Recreation

0

140

370

3

A53#

Causeway Bay

Police Officers Club

Recreation

3

88

375

3

A54#

Causeway Bay

Bowling Green, Victoria Park

Recreation

0

124

1006

3

A55#

Causeway Bay

Victoria Park Public Swimming Pool

Recreation

0

190

1169

3

A56#

Causeway Bay

Viking Garden

Residential

25

304

1247

3

A57#

Causeway Bay

Victoria court

Residential

18

262

1251

3

A58#

Causeway Bay

Mayson Garden

Residential

24

213

1243

3

A59#

Causeway Bay

Gorden House

Residential

15

184

1232

3

A60#

Causeway Bay

Belle House

Residential

24

122

1205

3

A61#

Causeway Bay

Citicorp Centre

Commercial

36

126

1163

3

A62#

Causeway Bay

Hoi Tao Building

Residential

30

120

1257

3

A63#

Causeway Bay

Victoria Centre

Residential

30

16

1224

3

A64#

Causeway Bay

Seaview Estate

Residential

13

21

1277

3

A65#

Causeway Bay

Harbour Heights

Residential

44

17

1319

3

A66#

Causeway Bay

Whitfield Road Rest Garden

Recreation

0

64

1153

3

 

 

Future

 

 

 

 

 

A67

Central

Comprehensive Development Area Site

Commercial

N/a

103

108

1

A68

Central

Airport Railway Hong Kong Station

Commercial

N/a

30

54

1

A69

Central

Future Commercial Buildings and landscaped deck east of new outlying Islands Ferry Piers (CDA site)

Commercial

N/a

58

219

1

A70#

Central

Proposed Central Government Complex

G/IC

N/a

68

500

2

A71#

Central

New G/IC site south and east of CITIC Tower (to include the redeveloped HK Red Cross Headquarters)

G/IC

N/a

219

314

2

A72#

Central

New G/IC site north of CITIC Tower

G/IC

N/a

27

244

2

A73#

Central

Waterfront related commercial and leisure uses

Commercial

N/a

14

185

2

A74#

Central

Open space promenade along new reclamation edge

Recreation

N/a

11

512

2

A75

Central

Waterfront related commercial and leisure uses - Festival Market

Commercial

N/a

49

516

1

A76#

Wanchai

Waterfront related commercial and leisure uses

Commercial

N/a

14

86

2

A77#

Wanchai

Waterfront related commercial and leisure uses

Commercial

N/a

18

82

2

A78#

Wanchai

Grade A Office

Commercial

N/a

68

37

2

A79#

Wanchai

Helipad

Others

N/a

196

517

3

A80#

Wanchai

Pier

Others

N/a

94

304

3

A81#

Wanchai

Exhibition Station – future CDA development

Commercial

N/a

22

400

3

A82#

Wanchai

Waterfront related commercial and leisure uses

Commercial

N/a

22

266

3

A83#

Wanchai

Waterfront related commercial and leisure uses

Commercial

N/a

28

174

3

A84#

Wanchai

Waterfront related commercial and leisure uses

Commercial

N/a

39

66

3

A85#

Wanchai

Harbour Museum

G/IC

N/a

93

132

3

A86#

Wanchai

Indoor games hall and training pool

G/IC

N/a

16

129

3

A87#

Wanchai

5-Star hotel / Commercial

Commercial

N/a

52

399

3

A88#

Wanchai

5-Star hotel / Commercial

Commercial

N/a

130

455

3

A89#

Causeway Bay

Tin Hau Temple

G/IC

N/a

38

1068

3

A90#

Causeway Bay

Indoor Entertainment Centre

G/IC

N/a

36

1061

3

*Distance from the main CWB & IECL alignment.

1 Distance from the West Ventilation Building.

2 Distance from the Central Ventilation Building.

3 Distance from the East Ventilation Building.

#  ASR within 500 m boundary of the WDII development area to be considered in this EIA Study

 

3.5              Assessment Methodology

Construction Phase

3.5.1          The impact of fugitive dust sources on air quality depends upon the quantity as well as the drift potential of the dust particles emitting into the atmosphere.  Large dust particles (i.e. over 100 mm in diameter) will settle out near the source and particles that are between 30 and 100 mm in diameter are likely to undergo impeded settling.  The main dust impacts are likely to arise from particles less than 30 mm in diameter, which have a greater potential to disperse over greater distances.

3.5.2          According to the USEPA AP-42, construction dust particles may be grouped into nine particle size classes.  Their size ranges are 0 - 1 mm, 1 - 2 mm, 2 - 2.5 mm, 2.5 - 3 mm, 3 - 4 mm, 4 - 5 mm, 5 - 6 mm, 6 - 10 mm and 10 - 30 mm, and the percentage of particles in each class was estimated to be 4%, 7%, 4%, 3%, 7%, 5%, 4%, 17% and 49%, respectively.

3.5.3          Fugitive Dust Model (FDM) was used to predict the TSP concentration levels.  The emission rates for different construction activities were based on the USEPA Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors (AP-42), 5th edition.  Table 3.4 gives the relevant clauses for emission factors used in this assessment in AP-42.

Table 3.4         Emission Factors for Construction Activities

Construction Activities

Reference*

Road Construction, Building Construction and Material Handling (as Heavy Construction)

S.13.2.3.3

Material Handling (Excavation and Backfilling)

S.13.2.4

Truck Haulage

S.13.2.2

Wind Erosion

S.11.9  Table 11.9.4

* AP-42, 5th Edition

3.5.4          The 1997 meteorological data from the Hong Kong Observatory (Central Station) was used in the FDM to predict the 1-hour and 24-hour average TSP concentrations.  The data includes hourly averaged wind speed, wind direction, stability class, ambient temperature and mixing height.

3.5.5          The following summarises the construction activities during the construction stage of the WDII Project.  The locations of the different construction sites are shown in Figures 3.2a and 3.2b.

CWB entrusted work in WDII

·     CWB & IECL entrusted works including CWB tunnel, slip roads and tunnel building foundation and ducting structures.

NIL entrusted work in WDII

·     Allowance has also been made for possible North Island Line (NIL) entrusted tunnel works, which would most likely be carried out at the same time as the CWB tunnel construction.

WDII works (Non-CWB entrusted work)

·     HKCEC Reclamation Stage 1 – Water Channel (HKCEC1);

·     HKCEC Reclamation Stage 2 – West (HKCEC2W);

·     HKCEC Reclamation Stage 2 – East (HKCEC2E);

·     Wanchai Reclamation Stage 1 (WCR1);

·     Wanchai Reclamation Stage 2 – West (WCR2W);

·     Wanchai Reclamation Stage 2 – East (WCR2E);

·     Wanchai Reclamation Stage 3 – West (WCR3W);

·     Wanchai Reclamation Stage 3 – East (WCR3E);

·     Causeway Bay Reclamation Stage 1 – West (CBR1W);

·     Causeway Bay Reclamation Stage 1 – East (CBR1E);

·     Causeway Bay Reclamation Stage 2 – West (CBR2W);

·     Causeway Bay Reclamation Stage 2 – East (CBR2E);

·     PCWA basin reclamation;

·     Pier construction;

·     MTR tunnel crossing construction;

·     Helipad construction; and

·     Hung Hing Road Flyover construction.

 

Connection of Twin Submarine Pipelines to existing system in Tsim Sha Tsui

 

·     Temporary demolition of promenade deck;

·     Excavation work for pipeline; and

·     Connection of the submarine pipeline to the existing system.

 

3.5.6          Beside the Wan Chai development, the following is a list of interfacing projects from 2004 to 2010 within 500 m from the boundary of the WDII development area.  The locations of different construction works are shown in Figures 3.2a and 3.2b.

·     Central Reclamation Phase III (CRIII):

Stage 1 (includes Hinterland Areas, Initial Reclamation Area West (IRAW));

Stage 2 (includes Hinterland Areas, IRAW and Initial Reclamation Area East (IRAE));

Stage 3 (includes Hinterland Areas, IRAW, IRAE);

Stage 4 (includes Hinterland Areas, FRAW, IRAE);

Stage 5 (includes Hinterland Areas, IRAE, Final Reclamation Area West (FRAW) and Final Reclamation Area East (FRAE));

Stage 6 (includes FRAW and FRAE);

Stage 7 (includes FRAW, FRAE and all areas);

Stage 8 (includes FRAW);

CWB entrusted works (within CRIII area);

NIL protection works (within CRIII area); and

Extended Overrun Tunnel (EOT) entrusted works (within CRIII area).

·     CWB & IECL Work Packages (excluding entrusted works):

Tunnel Section of the Central Interchange (Central (Tunnel));

Bridge Section of the Central Interchange (Central (Building)),

Demolition of part of Rumsey Street Flyover;

East Section of the IECL (IEC-East);

West Section of the IECL (IEC-West);

Tunnel Buildings (includes West Ventilation Building, Central Ventilation Building, East Ventilation Building and Administration Building); and

E&M and Tunnel Installation.

 

3.5.7          The maximised use of selected public fill is proposed in the reclamation.  Major dust generating activities for the reclamation are summarised in Appendix 3.1.  During the development, filling and surcharging will normally emit a large amount of dust.  Based on the number of dusty activities on site, ten worst-case scenarios for the development works are identified throughout the construction period and shown in Table 3.5.  Consideration has also been given to the greater use of sand fill instead of public fill in deriving these worst-case scenarios; in general, construction activities with the use of public fill will be dustier than those of sand fill.  Overall, the scenarios presented can be considered to be representative of the worst case for either reclamation method.

 


Table 3.5         Different Major Dust Generating Activities in the Worst Case Scenarios during Construction Phase

Period

2002 – 2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009 - 2012

Worst month

Oct. 2004

Feb. 2005

May. 2005

Aug. 2005

Jul. 2006

Mar.2007

Aug.2007

Feb.2008

Aug.2008

Jun.2009

Activities

Scenario 1

Scenario 2

Scenario 3

Scenario 4

Scenario 5

Scenario 6

Scenario 7

Scenario 8

Scenario 9

Scenario 10

1

CRIII –

Stage 5

CRIII –

Stage 5

CRIII –

Stage 6

CRIII –

Stage 6

CRIII –

Stage 7

Central

(Tunnel)

Central (Tunnel)

Central (Tunnel)

IEC – East

IEC – West

2

CBR1E – Filling

CBR1E – Filling

CBR1W – Filling

CBR1W – Filling

Central (Tunnel)

CBR2W – Filling

CBR2W – Filling

WCR2 – Drainage

WCR2 – Drainage

Tunnel Buildings

3

WCR1 –

Filling

CBR1 –

Cooling Water

CBR1 – Drainage

CBR1 – Drainage

Central (Bridge)

CBR2 – Drainage

CBR2 – Drainage

WCR2W – CWB Tunnel

WCR2W – CWB Tunnel

 

4

WCR1 –

Cooling Water

 WCR1 –

Filling

CBR1 –

Cooling Water

CBR1 –

Cooling Water

CBR1 – Drainage

WCR2 – Drainage

WCR2W – Filling

WCR3 – CWB Tunnel

WCR3 - Drainage

 

5

HKCEC2 – Cooling Water

PCWA Basin

Construction

WCR1 –

CWB Tunnel

WCR1 –

CWB Tunnel

CBR2E – Filling

WCR2E – CWB Tunnel

WCR2 – Drainage

HKCEC2W – CWB Tunnel

HKCEC2 – Drainage

 

6

 

HKCEC2 – Cooling Water

WCR3E – Filling

WCR3E – Filling

WCR2E - Filling

WCR3W – Filling

WCR2E – CWB Tunnel

 

HKCEC2E – CWB Tunnel

 

7

 

 

HKCEC1 – Filling

HKCEC1 – CWB Tunnel

WCR2 – Drainage

HKCEC2W – Filling

WCR3 – CWB Tunnel

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

MTR Tunnel

Pier Construction

Helipad

HKCEC2E – Filling

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

Helipad

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hung Hing Road Flyover Construction

 

 

 

Note: CWB Tunnel works indicated above include possible entrusted NIL tunnel works through the WCR2E&W, HKCEC1 and HKCEC2E&W areas, which would take place during the same periods of time.


3.5.8          The working hours of all land construction sites were assumed to be 12 hours.  Truck speed within the sites was limited to 10 km per hour.

3.5.9          Daily TSP concentrations were calculated as follows:

Daily TSP concentration = 12/24 x (1-hour average maximum TSP concentration during working hours) + 12/24 x (1-hour average maximum TSP concentration during non-working hours) + Background

3.5.10      Appendix 3.2 shows the calculation of the dust emission factors and Appendix 3.3 provides sample computer outputs from the FDM model used for the construction dust impact assessment.

Operational Phase

3.5.11      Potential air quality impact during the operational phase of the WDII project includes the followings pollutant sources:

·         background pollutant levels within and adjacent to the WDII reclamation area as described in Section 3.3;

·         vehicle emissions from open sections of existing and planned road networks;

·         tunnel portal and ventilation building emissions from the CWB & IECL;

·         portal emissions from the existing Cross Harbour Tunnel (CHT),

·         portal emissions from the existing underpasses along Connaught Road Central; and

·         portal emissions from the planned deckovers along Road P1, Road P2 and Connaught Road Central.

Vehicle Emissions from Open Sections of Existing and Planned Road Networks

3.5.12      The CALINE4 dispersion model was used for calculation of the 1-hour NO2, 24-hour NO2, 24-hour RSP and 1-hour CO concentrations.  Open sections of existing and planned road networks within 500 m from the boundary of the WDII reclamation area are considered in the model and are listed as follows:

·         new roads in the WDII;

·         new roads in the Central Reclamation Phase III (CRIII);

·         the CWB & IECL; and

·         the existing roads (including Island Eastern Corridor, Victoria Park Road, Gloucester Road, Harcourt Road, Connaught Road Central, Causeway Road, Hennessy Road, Queensway, and Des Vouex Road Central).

3.5.13      The predicted morning peak hour traffic flows and vehicle mixes for the road networks in 2027 were used for the assessment of the worst-case air quality scenario.  Figures 3.3a to 3.3f show the projected 2027 morning peak hour traffic flows and vehicle compositions.

3.5.14      The most up-to-date vehicular emission factors (Fleet Average Emission Factors – EURO3 Model) available from the EPD are for the year 2011 and these were adopted for the assessment.  It is, however, believed that the 2027 emission rates will be lower than those of 2011, as more stringent vehicle emission control will have been in place by that time.  The predicted results will therefore be conservative.

3.5.15      The composite emission factors for the road links were calculated as the weighted average of the emission factors of different types of vehicles.  Four vehicle categories have been adopted.  As a worst-case scenario, maximum emission factor within the same category was used for the assessment.  The vehicular emissions for different vehicle categories are listed in Table 3.6.  Detailed calculations of the emission factors are shown in Appendix 3.4.

Table 3.6         Emission Factors for Year 2011 for Different Vehicle Categories (EURO3)

Pollutant

Emission Factors for 2011 (EURO3), g/km-veh

PV (1)

LGV (2)

HGV (3)

PT (4)

NOx

0.73

1.53

3.84

6.8

RSP

0.03

0.16

0.53

0.69

CO

1.87

2.25

6.45

7.38

Note:       (1)      Private Vehicles (PV) include taxi and private car.

(2)         Light Goods Vehicles (LGV) include passenger van and light goods vehicle.

(3)         HGV stands for Heavy Goods Vehicles.

(4)         Public Transport (PT) includes all types of buses.

3.5.16      Peak hour traffic flows within and adjacent to the WDII development area will occur during daytime.  The night time traffic flows will be low (about 10% of peak flow) and the worst case scenario will therefore not be encountered during night time.

3.5.17      In order to calculate the cumulative pollutant concentrations from different sources using different models (CALINE4 and ISCST3) in the later part of the assessment, the dispersion modelling was undertaken assuming 360 predetermined meteorological conditions and the highest predicted pollutant concentration amongst the 360 wind directions were identified.  The following summarises the meteorological conditions adopted in the air quality modelling using the CALINE4 model:

·          Wind speed           :       1 m s-1

·          Wind direction               :       360 wind directions

·          Resolution                     :       1°

·          Wind variability             :       24°

·          Stability class                :       D

·          Surface roughness :       1 m

·          Mixing height                :       500 m

3.5.18      The CALINE4 model calculates hourly concentrations only.  With reference to the Screening Procedures for Estimating the Air Quality Impact of Stationary Source (EPA-454/R-92-019), a conversion factor of 0.4 is used to convert the 1-hour average concentrations to 24-hour average concentrations.

3.5.19      Potential air quality impacts from the implementation of proposed roadside noise barriers along the CWB & IECL were also incorporated into the air quality model.  According to the EIA Report of CWB & IECL([1]), semi-enclosures, cantilever barriers and vertical barriers have been proposed on the Trunk Road to mitigate the noise impacts at Causeway Bay.  Locations of the noise barriers are shown in Figure 3.4.  With the barriers in place, pollutants will tend to accumulate and disperse at a higher elevation (immediate above the barrier height).

3.5.20      Appendix 3.5 shows the sample computer outputs from the CALINE4 model used for the vehicle emissions impact assessment.

Portal and Ventilation Building Emissions

3.5.21      The Industrial Source Complex Short Term (ISCST3) dispersion model was used to predict the portal and ventilation building emissions.

3.5.22      The followings are the portal and ventilation building emissions in and around the study area:

·         tunnel portal and ventilation building emissions from the tunnel section of the CWB & IECL;

·         tunnel portal emissions from the existing CHT;

·         portal emissions from the existing underpasses along Connaught Road Central; and

·         portal emissions from the planned deckovers along Road P1, Road P2 and Connaught Road Central.

3.5.23      According to the latest information of the CWB & IECL project, the configuration of the tunnel section of the CWB & IECL consists of:

·         CWB Tunnel;

·         Wanchai Bypass Tunnel; and

·         Slip Road F Tunnel.

3.5.24      Three ventilation buildings have been proposed for the CWB to discharge the tunnel vitiated air:

·         West Ventilation Building (WVB): for extracting vitiated tunnel air from Trunk Road Westbound;

·         Central Ventilation Building (CVB): for extracting vitiated tunnel air from Slip Road F and Wanchai Bypass Westbound; and

·         East Ventilation Building (EVB): for extracting vitiated tunnel air from Trunk Road Eastbound and Wanchai Bypass Eastbound. 

3.5.25      Locations of the portals and ventilation buildings are shown in Figure 3.5.  The portal and ventilation building emissions provided by the ventilation design engineer are summarised in Table 3.7.


Table 3.7     Portal and Ventilation Building Emissions

Type

Emission Rate (g s-1)

NO2 *

CO

RSP

Portal Emission

Trunk Road Eastbound

0

0

0

Wanchai Bypass Eastbound

0.02050

0.90250

0.00725

Slip Road F

0

0

0

Wanchai Bypass Westbound

0.09225

4.47750

0.02602

Trunk Road Westbound

0.11750

4.60500

0.03819

Ventilation Building Emission

EVB - Trunk Road Eastbound

0.84271

18.14583

0.26674

EVB - Wanchai Bypass Eastbound

0.05668

2.49515

0.02176

CVB - Slip Road F

0.12222

2.35556

0.01092

CVB – Wanchai Bypass Westbound

0.04884

2.37044

0.00867

WVB – Trunk Road Westbound

0.38364

14.23364

0.11457

Note:       * Based on 20% NO2/NOx conversion in ambient condition.

 

3.5.26      The preliminary design of the ventilation buildings (including minimum discharge heights, exhaust directions, handling capacity of ventilation buildings and exit velocity) is summarised in Table 3.8.  For a worst case scenario in the air quality assessment, the minimum height of stack was used in modelling.

Table 3.8         Design of Ventilation Buildings

 

Maximum capacity

(m3 s-1)

Exit velocity

(m s-1)

Minimum discharge height (meter above ground)

Exhaust direction

EVB - Trunk Road Eastbound

570

8

25

vertical

EVB - Wanchai Bypass Eastbound

200

8

25

vertical

CVB - Slip Road F

180

8

15

vertical

CVB - Wanchai Bypass Westbound

100

8

15

vertical

WVB - Trunk Road Westbound

420

8

15

vertical

 

3.5.27      The portal emissions (NO2, RSP and CO) of the existing CHT, the existing underpasses and the planned deck-over are calculated based on the vehicle emission (EURO3) and vehicle flows in 2027.  Appendix 3.6 shows the calculations of portal emissions.

3.5.28      Portal emissions were modelled in accordance with the Permanent International Association of Road Congress Report (PIARC, 1991).  Pollutants were assumed to eject from the portal as a portal jet such that 2/3 of the total emissions was dispersed within the first 50 m of the portal and 1/3 of the total emissions within the second 50 m.

3.5.29      As mentioned in Section 3.5.17, 360 predetermined meteorological conditions were used.  The following summarises the meteorological conditions adopted in the air quality modelling using the ISCST3 model:

·          Wind speed           :       1 m s-1

·          Wind direction               :       360 wind directions

·          Resolution                     :       1°

·          Stability class                :       D

·          Mixing height                :       500 m

·          Emission temperature    :       7° above ambient

3.5.30      Sample of computer output is shown in Appendix 3.7

Model Adjustment

3.5.31      As discussed in “Technical Note on Model Calibration for Cross Harbour Tunnel and Its Nearby Roads”([2]), NO2/NOx ratio varies from the CHT portal to sensitive receivers along Gloucester Road.  As a result, different NO2/NOx ratios were adopted in the vicinity of the CHT.  Near the CHT portal, the NO2/NOx ratio was based on the measured values.  For those far away from the portal, a more conservative value of 0.2 was used. To summarise, the following factors were used:

NO2 /NOx for section of Gloucester Road                   : 0.13

between Tonnochy Road and IECL

NO2/NOx for local roads near CHT                            : 0.13

NO2/NOx for other roads                                           : 0.2

NO2/NOx for portal emissions of other tunnels             : 0.2

and ventilation buildings

3.5.32      The spatial distribution of the NO2/NOx due to CHT portal emissions in the vicinity of the CHT was found to be:

(NO2/NOx) = 0.948 ´ 10-4 ´ (Distance from Portal in metre) + 0.0957

3.5.33      According to on-site measurements in early 2001([3]), the concentration of NO2 inside the tennis court of the Police Officers Club was far lower than that at the roadside of the Police Officers Club. The observed discrepancy was attributed to the presence of the boundary wall near the portal and the use of tarpaulin along the site boundary of the Police Officers Club, which together provide a physical barrier restricting the dispersion of pollutants into the tennis court.  Besides, as the CHT is located very close to the seafront, sea breeze is expected to play an important role in diluting the pollutants. Therefore, appropriate dilution factor has been applied to the modelling result to reflect the situation.

3.5.34      Other locations towards the seaward side of the CHT, e.g. Yacht Club and the planned hotel site, are expected to be similarly screened by the boundary wall of the tunnel and influenced by sea breeze in the daytime.  As discussed in “Technical Note on Model Calibration for Cross Harbour Tunnel and its Nearby Roads”, the dilution factors at Yacht club (A50), Police Officers’ Club (A51-A53), Planned Hotel site (A87, A88) are likey to be lower or similar to that at the tennis court.  As a conservative estimate, a dilution factor of 0.56 was applied to all those receivers in the vicinity of the CHT.

3.5.35      The effect of the boundary wall near the tunnel portal on the dilution factor will diminish with increasing height.  In this respect, a dilution factor of 0.56 will be applied to those ASRs below 10m.  For those ASRs above 10m, no dilution factor is applied to the modelling result.

Cumulative Impact

3.5.36      As mentioned in Section 3.5.11, background pollutant levels within and adjacent to the WDII, vehicle emissions from open sections of the existing and planned road networks, tunnel portal and ventilation building emissions from the CWB & IECL, and portal emissions from the existing CHT, the existing underpasses and the planned deckovers will contribute to the cumulative impact.

3.5.37      The pollutant concentrations at the ASRs at different wind directions (1 degree resolution) were predicted by both CALINE4 and ISCST3 models, where

·         the CALINE4 model was used to predict the open road emissions from the existing and planned road networks; and

·         the ISCST3 model was used to predict all the portal emissions (CWB & IECL, CHT, underpasses and deckover) and ventilation shaft emissions.

3.5.38      The cumulative pollutant concentrations at the ASRs at each specific wind direction are calculated by summing the results from the two models.  The highest pollutant concentrations at the ASRs amongst the 360 wind directions were identified as the worst predicted cumulative pollutant concentrations.

 

3.6              Identification of Environmental Impacts

Construction Phase

3.6.1          Dredging, construction of seawall and filling works are the major construction works during reclamation.  Maximised use of public fill is proposed for the reclamation works. Materials handling, wind erosion, truck haulage on unpaved roads are other major sources of dust impact.  However, no on-site concrete batching activity will be taken place within the construction site.

3.6.2          For the entrusted work of the CWB tunnel, dust nuisance is expected during excavation and backfilling of the tunnel construction.

3.6.3          The concurrent works by TDD for the CRIII project and HyD for the Trunk Road project were also taken into account in assessing the impacts.

3.6.4          Demolition of the promenade deck in Tsim Sha Tsui and the connection of the new cross harbour submarine water mains to the existing water mains are not major dust generating activities, and will therefore not cause adverse air quality impact to the nearby air sensitive receivers (including Regent Hotel, Museum of Arts, New World Centre and Space Museum).

Operational Phase

3.6.5          The major sources of traffic emissions include the open road sections and various tunnel portals / ventilation shafts.

3.6.6          As mentioned in Section 3.5.11, potential air quality impact during the operational phase of the WDII project includes the following pollutant sources:

·         background pollutant levels within and adjacent to the WDII reclamation area as described in Section 3.3;

·         vehicle emissions from the open sections of existing and planned road networks;

·         tunnel portal and ventilation building emissions from the tunnel section of the CWB & IECL;

·         tunnel portal emissions from the existing CHT;

·         portal emissions from the existing underpasses along Connaught Road Central; and

·         portal emissions from the planned deckovers along Road P1, Road P2 and Connaught Road Central.

3.6.7          Air quality impacts associated with road traffic are caused mostly by NO2, RSP and CO.  The 1-hour NO2, 24-hour NO2, 24-hour RSP and 1-hour CO were calculated and compared with the AQO limits.

 

3.7              Prediction and Evaluation of Environmental Impacts

Construction Phase

3.7.1          Construction activities for WDII, CRIII and CWB & IECL will cause a cumulative impact on the nearby sensitive receivers.

3.7.2          Since most of the construction activities are on ground level, the likely cumulative dust impacts of the WDII on the ASRs at 1.5 m above ground were modelled.  Detailed breakdown of the dust impacts from different construction activities is shown in Appendix 3.8.

3.7.3          The cumulative 1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP due to the WDII is shown in Table 3.9 and Table 3.10.

Table 3.9         Predicted Cumulative 1-hour Average TSP Concentrations for Scenarios 1 to 10 (Unmitigated)

ASRs

Predicted Concentration (mg m-3) under different scenarios

Scen. 1

Scen. 2

Scen. 3

Scen. 4

Scen. 5

Scen. 6

Scen. 7

Scen. 8

Scen. 9

Scen. 10

Max.

A1

145

321

339

189

557

229

289

150

113

98

557

A2

147

324

345

186

618

239

309

157

113

98

618

A3

149

339

360

190

742

249

322

165

114

99

742

A4

153

369

394

197

607

267

347

179

116

100

607

A5

155

405

433

210

734

295

375

206

118

100

734

A6

182

532

591

238

446

341

439

236

127

101

591

A7

195

568

637

255

448

333

433

224

130

100

637

A8

220

649

728

284

501

364

466

249

134

100

728

A9

578

922

1006

424

624

376

464

246

143

102

1006

A10

629

722

780

345

510

327

438

211

136

104

780

A11

289

845

906

385

605

366

487

238

140

106

906

A12

290

763

807

340

537

356

472

217

140

107

807

A13

241

788

882

332

496

398

494

227

153

109

882

A14

264

932

1039

360

594

421

502

226

162

112

1039

A15

354

2582

2668

851

1310

445

587

245

168

113

2668

A16

276

1046

1153

401

696

436

537

242

163

112

1153

A17

292

1124

1251

382

608

445

554

235

170

115

1251

A18

326

1318

1457

389

556

448

589

218

178

116

1457

A19

336

1382

1501

395

539

480

595

219

195

116

1501

A20#

556

2134

2307

585

998

570

653

257

213

121

2307

A21

350

1915

2056

443

729

465

556

220

184

118

2056

A22#

324

975

1185

375

517

417

584

193

178

128

1185

A23#

296

762

930

326

452

429

583

203

180

119

930

A24#

326

578

824

337

515

526

731

229

218

113

824

A25#

365

550

980

398

525

532

978

232

256

122

980

A26#

436

578

1296

494

647

793

1282

320

390

167

1296

A27#

391

607

1339

517

808

923

1529

358

414

168

1529

A28#

506

731

1337

479

700

936

918

340

285

151

1337

A29#

595

712

1802

639

822

1326

1561

424

552

191

1802

A30#

406

616

1732

629

813

1100

1715

394

576

175

1732

A31#

390

623

1384

534

904

875

1728

321

405

151

1728

A32#

508

699

2773

938

1746

1251

1862

562

582

189

2773

A33#

393

677

2513

880

1033

1170

2738

412

613

270

2738

A34#

337

548

1593

721

1680

1043

3371

463

503

166

3371

A35#

692

810

1783

665

1189

1041

1622

448

463

190

1783

A36#

593

708

1280

531

993

960

1087

355

295

219

1280

A37#

1466

1522

1937

908

1743

1842

1613

616

427

274

1937

A38#

1509

1550

1026

982

1853

1908

1470

726

391

360

1908

A39#

1401

2550

943

907

1443

1963

1310

736

340

450

2550

A40#

535

655

819

455

710

682

669

277

223

192

819

A41#

608

664

559

502

650

758

678

305

231

199

758

A42#

465

773

580

495

658

825

763

310

242

203

825

A43#

443

836

582

534

646

996

997

312

259

209

997

A44#

327

816

614

634

617

1171

1175

293

248

226

1175

A45#

372

704

714

710

880

1243

1348

239

270

253

1348

A46#

404

661

869

864

921

1311

1418

234

291

265

1418

A47#

434

659

1014

1008

733

1237

1333

218

303

262

1333

A48#

478

604

1045

1045

895

1201

1243

161

304

272

1243

A49#

540

590

1033

1036

1023

1224

1244

139

305

279

1244

A50#

292

2973

703

701

829

1850

2109

376

287

616

2973

A51#

507

1419

642

634

739

2252

2452

357

273

364

2452

A52#

390

974

755

752

780

1635

1751

269

268

290

1751

A53#

354

1124

684

675

994

2402

2567

322

289

389

2567

A54#

3022

3041

1554

1556

888

403

423

106

433

172

3041

A55#

1301

1309

1151

1151

353

291

302

101

448

134

1309

A56#

813

820

683

682

431

254

271

99

250

125

820

A57#

823

835

949

949

291

254

268

99

340

124

949

A58#

883

890

641

642

322

284

296

101

225

134

890

A59#

918

926

634

616

373

280

295

102

321

134

926

A60#

1127

1156

1909

1895

844

500

500

102

285

196

1909

A61#

1453

1557

992

976

848

559

562

109

276

226

1557

A62#

883

1027

575

570

533

440

438

112

215

194

1027

A63#

1045

1190

507

516

323

281

295

126

382

145

1190

A64#

586

672

422

432

259

261

271

124

382

130

672

A65#

459

485

366

377

236

245

251

123

393

120

485

A66#

1557

1647

2258

2247

1057

590

587

104

298

232

2258

Note:       * Background concentration is included.

                   Bold letters indicate the exceedance of AQO.

                # ASR within 500 m boundary of the WDII development area to be considered in this EIA Study.

Table 3.10       Predicted Cumulative 24-hour Average TSP Concentrations for Scenarios 1 to 10 (Unmitigated)

ASRs

Predicted Concentration (mg m-3)

Scen. 1

Scen. 2

Scen. 3

Scen. 4

Scen. 5

Scen. 6

Scen. 7

Scen. 8

Scen. 9

Scen. 10

Max.

A1

114

205

215

136

328

157

187

117

98

90

328

A2

115

206

218

135

361

162

198

120

98

90

361

A3

116

213

226

137

427

167

204

124

99

90

427

A4

118

229

243

141

356

176

217

132

100

91

356

A5

119

248

263

147

428

191

231

145

101

91

428

A6

133

313

344

162

268

215

264

161

106

91

344

A7

139

331

366

171

269

211

261

155

107

91

366

A8

152

373

412

186

296

226

278

167

109

91

412

A9

331

513

555

257

361

233

278

167

114

92

555

A10

356

411

439

216

302

208

264

149

111

93

439

A11

187

474

503

237

350

228

289

162

113

94

503

A12

188

431

452

214

315

223

281

152

113

94

452

A13

163

443

489

210

295

244

293

156

120

96

489

A14

175

516

569

224

345

256

297

156

125

97

569

A15

221

1348

1388

472

706

268

340

166

128

98

1388

A16

181

574

626

245

397

264

314

164

125

97

626

A17

189

612

676

235

352

268

323

161

129

99

676

A18

207

710

781

239

325

270

341

152

133

99

781

A19

212

741

804

242

316

286

344

152

142

99

804

A20#

323

1125

1212

339

547

332

374

172

152

102

1212

A21

219

1009

1081

266

412

278

324

153

136

100

1081

A22#

206

537

646

231

304

254

338

139

133

105

646

A23#

192

429

517

207

271

259

337

144

134

101

517

A24#

207

337

466

213

303

309

412

158

155

98

466

A25#

228

324

544

244

308

314

536

160

176

102

544

A26#

268

343

713

294

371

449

691

206

248

126

713

A27#

245

355

730

305

451

511

819

225

260

126

819

A28#

301

418

735

285

396

515

508

215

190

117

735

A29#

353

415

984

367

458

720

832

260

335

138

984

A30#

255

363

933

363

455

605

913

244

346

130

933

A31#

244

363

752

314

500

487

918

206

254

118

918

A32#

301

398

1458

533

930

684

992

332

344

137

1458

A33#

256

400

1324

494

566

636

1435

254

364

180

1435

A34#

234

342

857

412

892

579

1753

281

310

125

1753

A35#

391

452

949

384

650

576

868

274

283

138

949

A36#

341

400

693

313

547

531

596

224

196

152

693

A37#

783

812

1026

506

934

984

871

361

266

182

1026

A38#

810

831

572

546

985

1020

796

417

254

226

1020

A39#

754

1329

530

508

776

1046

716

424

231

274

1329

A40#

312

373

459

273

402

389

383

184

160

139

459

A41#

348

379

328

296

372

429

388

199

165

143

429

A42#

277

434

338

292

376

462

431

201

170

145

462

A43#

265

466

339

312

370

548

551

202

179

148

551

A44#

207

456

355

363

354

641

646

192

174

157

646

A45#

228

399

405

402

487

684

739

163

185

171

739

A46#

245

377

483

479

508

719

776

161

196

177

776

A47#

260

377

556

552

414

677

728

152

202

175

728

A48#

282

350

573

572

496

657

681

123

204

179

681

A49#

314

344

567

567

560

665

678

112

206

183

678

A50#

190

1555

401

398

463

983

1119

235

199

361

1555

A51#

297

763

369

364

417

1185

1290

226

188

230

1290

A52#

238

536

426

423

438

881

943

180

185

191

943

A53#

221

614

391

385

546

1280

1366

206

196

242

1366

A54#

1563

1579

837

836

502

252

264

95

277

130

1579

A55#

704

709

631

630

231

193

200

92

287

110

709

A56#

454

459

391

390

264

173

183

91

175

105

459

A57#

460

467

525

524

195

173

181

91

221

105

525

A58#

491

496

372

372

212

188

196

92

167

109

496

A59#

510

518

373

363

241

187

195

93

217

110

518

A60#

619

644

1020

1012

489

297

299

92

194

141

1020

A61#

781

839

557

548

487

326

330

96

192

155

839

A62#

488

564

340

336

318

266

266

97

157

139

564

A63#

570

647

306

310

214

185

193

104

252

114

647

A64#

338

385

261

266

179

174

181

104

252

107

385

A65#

274

291

232

236

167

167

171

103

257

102

291

A66#

842

896

1203

1196

603

342

343

94

204

159

1203

Note:       * Background concentration is included.

                   Bold letters indicate the exceedance of AQO.

                # ASR within 500 m boundary of the WDII development area to be considered in this EIA Study.

 

3.7.4          Based on Tables 3.9 and 3.10, exceedances of both 1-hour and 24-hour TSP objectives are predicted at almost all ASRs, except A65, in different scenarios.  Maximum predicted 1-hour and 24-hour TSP at the HKCEC Extension (A34) in Scenario 7 are 3,371 mg m-3 and 1,753 mg m-3, respectively.

3.7.5          Since exceedance of both TSP guideline and AQO is predicted at most of the ASR locations, dust suppression measures are required.

3.7.6          Demolition of the promenade deck in Tsim Sha Tsui and the connection of the new cross harbour submarine water mains to the existing water mains are not major dust generating activities, and will therefore not cause adverse air quality impact to the nearby air sensitive receivers.  To connect the new twin submarine water mains to the existing system in Tsim Sha Tsui, an area of about 30m ´ 12m will be excavated.  As dust generation from such a small excavation near the seafront will be mainly due to wind erosion and material handling, dust emissions can be much reduced if the dust suppression measures in the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation, e.g. covering the excavated material with tarpaulin, are adopted.  Besides, most of the excavated material will be backfilled on site.  This will minimise the material transportation and the dust generation from material handling could be further reduced.  In addition, all the sensitive receivers are central air-conditioned and their air intakes are at high levels.  Therefore, the air quality impact due to the construction work for the connection work of the proposed twin submarine pipelines should not be significant.

Operational Phase

3.7.7          Taking into account vehicle emissions from open road networks, portal and ventilation building emissions from the CWB & IECL, portal emissions from the CHT, existing underpasses and planned deckovers, and the background pollutant concentrations, the cumulative 1-hour NO2, 24-hour NO2, 24-hour RSP and 1-hour CO concentrations at 360 wind directions were predicted and the highest pollutant concentrations at each ASR under the worst wind directions were calculated.

3.7.8          In order to determine the possible impacts on the upper level receivers, pollutant concentrations at various levels (1.5 m to 150 m above ground) have been calculated.  All the results are shown in Appendix 3.9. 

3.7.9          From the results, it is clear that the maximum pollutant concentrations would occur at 1.5 m above ground.  Table 3.11 summaries the predicted cumulative 1-hour NO2, 24-hour NO2, 24-hour RSP and 1-hour CO concentrations at 1.5 m above ground.

Table 3.11       Predicted Cumulative 1-hour Average NO2, 24-hour Average NO2, 24-hour Average RSP and 1-hour Average CO Concentrations at the Representative ASRs at 1.5 m above ground

 

Predicted Concentration (mg m-3)*

ASRs

1-Hour NO2

24-Hour NO2

24-Hour RSP

1-Hour CO

A1

226

124

83

2757

A2

249

133

85

3242

A3

254

135

86

3283

A4

208

117

79

2666

A5

201

114

78

2602

A6

212

118

80

2718

A7

237

128

84

2998

A8

264

139

89

3076

A9

153

95

71

2004

A10

192

110

77

2324

A11

144

91

69

1902

A12

196

112

76

2401

A13

234

127

82

2892

A14

278

145

90

3234

A15

126

84

64

1989

A16

254

135

86

2943

A17

277

144

90

3235

A18

241

130

83

3025

A19

264

139

87

3090

A20#

127

84

64

2020

A21

205

116

77

2520

A22#

246

132

84

3014

A23#

272

142

88

3293

A24#

248

133

85

2997

A25#

245

131

85

2914

A26#

153

95

69

2162

A27#

179

105

72

2386

A28#

138

89

65

2225

A29#

134

87

65

2091

A30#

138

89

66

2457

A31#

143

91

67

2620

A32#

182

106

69

5728

A33#

131

86

64

3053

A34#

129

85

63

3089

A35#

137

89

66

2881

A36#

180

106

74

2616

A37#

156

96

70

2136

A38#

165

99

77

2338

A39#

154

95

76

2277

A40#

213

119

90

3272

A41#

196

112

86

2995

A42#

207

116

89

3119

A43#

232

127

100

3295

A44#

265

140

111

3934

A45#

263

139

111

3969

A46#

253

135

108

3817

A47#

228

125

98

3364

A48#

205

115

88

2964

A49#

202

114

86

2890

A50#

193

111

94

3089

A51#

244

131

109

3762

A52#

174

103

88

2811

A53#

231

126

108

3709

A54#

192

110

77

2494

A55#

167

101

73

2272

A56#

160

98

71

2220

A57#

186

108

76

2457

A58#

186

108

76

2440

A59#

218

121

82

2745

A60#

205

115

80

2640

A61#

206

116

80

2601

A62#

168

101

73

2254

A63#

187

108

77

2416

A64#

184

107

76

2400

A65#

188

109

77

2444

A66#

193

111

78

2486

A67

147

92

67

3386

A68

225

124

77

6621

A69

136

88

68

2399

A70#

135

88

65

2049

A71#

166

100

71

2196

A72#

158

97

69

2407

A73#

147

92

67

2186

A74#

131

86

64

1939

A75

125

83

64

1820

A76#

141

90

67

2435

A77#

167

100

70

3022

A78#

137

89

66

2500

A79#

114

79

62

2232

A80#

129

85

66

2132

A81#

145

92

68

2776

A82#

156

96

71

2247

A83#

162

98

72

2227

A84#

206

116

79

2944

A85#

194

111

77

2425

A86#

184

107

76

2365

A87#

291

150

130

4732

A88#

156

96

83

2579

A89#

134

87

67

1912

A90#

234

127

85

2860

Note:       *  Background concentrations are included.

#  ASR within 500 m boundary of the WDII development area to be considered in this EIA Study.

 

3.7.10      From the above table, it is noted that the predicted 24-hour NO2 concentration at ASR A87 (planned hotel / commercial building) at 1.5 m above ground approaches the AQO.  However, as the proposed development will be central air-conditioned with the fresh air intakes at a high level, the air quality at A87 is considered acceptable.

3.7.11      Based on the above prediction, no exceedance of 1-hour NO2, 24-hour NO2, 24-hour RSP and 1-hour CO objective would occur at any ASR in the Study Area.  Mitigation measures are therefore not required.

3.7.12      The predicted cumulative maximum 1-hour NO2 concentrations at 1.5 m, 10 m, 20 m, 30 m, 70 m and 110 m above ground are shown in Figures 3.6 to 3.11.  The maximum predicted cumulative 24-hour NO2, 24-hour RSP and 1-hour CO concentrations contour plots at 1.5 m above ground are shown in Figures 3.12 to 3.14.

 

3.8              Mitigation of Adverse Environmental Impacts

Construction Phase

3.8.1          As shown in Tables 3.9 and 3.10, the cumulative 1-hour and 24-hour TSP concentrations are predicted to exceed the TSP criteria at almost all of the ASRs.  In order to minimize the air quality impact during the construction, the following mitigation measures in WDII are proposed:

WDII (CWB entrusted work) and WDII (non-CWB entrusted work), managed by TDD

Ÿ             strictly limit the truck speed on site to below 10 km per hour and water spraying to keep the haul roads in wet condition.  This will reduce the dust generation by about 90%, in accordance with Control Techniques for Particulate Emissions from Stationary Sources, Volume 2, US Environmental Protection Agency 1982;

Ÿ             twice daily watering of the work site with active operations when the weather and the work site are dry.  Through the implementation of this mitigation measure, dust emissions from materials handling can be reduced by 50%, according to USEPA AP-42;

Ÿ             water spraying during excavation and material handling; this can reduce the emission by 85%;

Ÿ             provision of vehicle wheel and body washing facilities at the exit points of the site, combined with cleaning of public roads where necessary; and

Ÿ             tarpaulin covering of all dusty vehicle loads transported to, from and between site locations.

In addition, the following mitigation measures proposed in CRIII and CWB & IECL projects are assumed to be implemented by all relevant parties.

CRIII (CWB entrusted work) and CRIII (non-CWB entrusted work), managed by TDD

Ÿ         strictly limit the truck speed on site to below 10 km per hour and water spraying to keep the haul roads in wet condition;

Ÿ         twice daily watering of the work site with active operations when the weather and the work site are dry;

Ÿ         watering during excavation and material handling;

·         provision of vehicle wheel and body washing facilities at the exit points of the site, combined with cleaning of public roads where necessary; and

·         tarpaulin covering of all dusty vehicle loads transported to, from and between site locations.

CWB & IECL projects (excluding works entrusted to TDD), managed by HyD

Ÿ         strictly limit the truck speed on site to below 10 km per hour and water spraying to keep the haul roads in wet condition;

Ÿ         twice daily watering of the work site with active operations when the weather and the work site are dry;

Ÿ         watering during excavation and material handling;

Ÿ         provision of vehicle wheel and body washing facilities at the exit points of the site, combined with cleaning of public roads where necessary; and

Ÿ         tarpaulin covering of all dusty vehicle loads transported to, from and between site locations.

3.8.2          With the above mitigation measures, the predicted cumulative 1-hour and 24-hour TSP concentrations are shown in Tables 3.12 and 3.13.  The maximum predicted cumulative 1-hour and 24-hour TSP concentrations within the whole construction period are shown in Figures 3.15 and 3.16.  Detailed breakdown of the dust impacts from different construction activities is shown in Appendix 3.10.

Table 3.12       Predicted Cumulative 1-hour Average TSP Concentrations for Scenarios 1 to 10 (Mitigated)

ASRs

Predicted Concentration (mg m-3) under different scenarios

Scen. 1

Scen. 2

Scen. 3

Scen. 4

Scen. 5

Scen. 6

Scen. 7

Scen. 8

Scen. 9

Scen. 10

Max.

A1

88

107

108

94

259

116

123

107

88

89

259

A2

88

107

109

93

287

120

127

111

88

89

287

A3

89

109

111

94

347

124

131

114

88

90

347

A4

89

112

114

95

273

131

139

121

88

90

273

A5

89

116

118

96

331

144

152

134

88

90

331

A6

93

130

136

99

167

157

167

145

90

90

167

A7

95

134

141

101

163

151

161

139

91

90

163

A8

98

144

151

104

176

163

174

150

91

90

176

A9

154

173

181

119

185

160

170

146

93

91

185

A10

161

150

155

110

162

143

154

129

92

92

162

A11

110

163

168

114

180

156

169

142

92

93

180

A12

111

154

157

109

168

148

160

133

92

93

168

A13

99

156

165

109

162

151

161

132

94

93

165

A14

102

171

180

112

170

151

159

129

95

94

180

A15

111

341

348

160

257

160

174

137

96

96

348

A16

103

183

193

116

188

158

168

136

95

94

193

A17

104

191

202

114

175

155

166

132

97

95

202

A18

108

210

223

116

159

146

161

121

98

95

223

A19

110

217

227

117

153

145

156

116

101

95

227

A20#

132

296

311

135

209

158

167

124

103

98

311

A21

111

271

283

122

180

146

154

119

99

96

283

A22#

107

175

195

114

149

132

149

107

99

101

195

A23#

104

152

169

109

141

132

147

107

99

99

169

A24#

106

133

159

110

143

140

160

108

103

97

160

A25#

110

131

175

120

141

139

184

106

108

99

184

A26#

118

134

207

132

157

169

217

117

126

107

217

A27#

114

137

212

133

174

181

248

121

130

106

248

A28#

127

152

211

131

165

183

180

120

114

108

211

A29#

137

150

259

154

179

229

248

130

150

112

259

A30#

115

138

253

151

176

203

263

126

150

111

263

A31#

114

139

217

135

184

175

273

117

128

109

273

A32#

127

147

365

183

268

214

271

141

150

135

365

A33#

117

144

336

185

195

205

386

126

156

119

386

A34#

114

132

242

155

263

198

394

134

141

124

394

A35#

146

159

261

150

207

190

254

128

135

135

261

A36#

136

148

208

133

185

180

195

116

121

150

208

A37#

229

235

279

173

277

278

257

147

137

177

279

A38#

235

240

185

181

280

286

242

161

138

220

286

A39#

223

339

176

173

235

293

226

162

132

266

339

A40#

130

142

160

124

154

149

148

106

115

137

160

A41#

138

144

133

128

146

158

149

109

121

140

158

A42#

122

155

134

127

147

165

158

110

124

142

165

A43#

120

162

136

131

147

185

185

111

129

145

185

A44#

108

161

139

142

144

206

207

109

135

153

207

A45#

112

149

150

150

171

218

230

102

146

167

230

A46#

115

144

166

166

176

224

237

102

156

173

237

A47#

119

143

181

181

155

215

226

100

163

171

226

A48#

123

138

185

185

172

204

208

92

168

176

208

A49#

130

139

184

184

185

208

210

90

171

180

210

A50#

103

391

149

149

166

273

302

117

139

348

391

A51#

127

224

141

140

159

314

338

117

136

222

338

A52#

115

177

154

154

164

263

276

106

142

185

276

A53#

111

193

147

146

186

338

357

112

141

235

357

A54#

384

389

239

239

171

119

121

85

249

126

389

A55#

213

214

195

195

118

105

107

84

258

107

258

A56#

159

160

147

147

122

101

103

84

160

103

160

A57#

162

164

174

174

110

101

103

84

204

103

204

A58#

169

170

147

147

112

104

106

84

147

107

170

A59#

170

171

143

142

117

104

106

84

194

107

194

A60#

189

207

282

281

178

129

129

84

176

138

282

A61#

223

244

187

186

176

135

136

85

171

153

244

A62#

166

183

136

136

136

122

122

85

140

138

183

A63#

181

197

129

130

111

104

106

87

217

113

217

A64#

135

143

119

120

104

102

103

87

216

105

216

A65#

121

125

113

114

101

100

101

87

222

101

222

A66#

234

260

321

320

204

139

139

84

182

156

321

Note:       * Background concentration is included.

                # ASR within 500 m boundary of the WDII development area to be considered in this EIA Study.

 

Table 3.13       Predicted Cumulative 24-hour Average TSP Concentrations for Scenarios 1 to 10 (Mitigated)

ASRs

Predicted Concentration (mg m-3)

Scen. 1

Scen. 2

Scen. 3

Scen. 4

Scen. 5

Scen. 6

Scen. 7

Scen. 8

Scen. 9

Scen. 10

Max.

A1

85

96

97

88

175

100

103

95

85

85

175

A2

85

96

97

88

190

101

105

96

85

85

190

A3

85

97

98

88

222

103

107

98

85

85

222

A4

85

99

100

89

183

107

112

102

85

86

183

A5

85

101

103

90

216

114

118

108

85

86

216

A6

88

109

112

91

126

121

126

114

86

86

126

A7

89

111

114

92

125

118

123

111

87

86

125

A8

90

116

120

94

131

124

129

117

87

86

131

A9

118

133

136

102

137

123

128

115

88

86

137

A10

122

120

122

97

124

114

120

107

87

87

124

A11

97

127

129

99

134

121

127

113

88

87

134

A12

97

122

123

97

127

117

123

108

88

87

127

A13

91

123

127

96

125

118

124

108

89

87

127

A14

93

131

135

98

129

118

123

106

90

88

135

A15

97

219

221

124

174

123

131

111

91

89

221

A16

93

137

141

100

139

122

127

110

90

88

141

A17

94

141

147

100

131

120

126

108

91

88

147

A18

96

151

158

100

123

116

124

102

92

88

158

A19

97

154

160

101

120

116

121

100

93

88

160

A20#

109

197

205

111

149

123

127

104

94

90

205

A21

97

182

188

104

134

116

121

101

92

89

188

A22#

96

132

145

100

118

109

117

95

92

91

145

A23#

94

120

131

97

113

109

117

95

92

90

131

A24#

96

111

126

97

114

113

123

96

95

89

126

A25#

98

110

135

103

114

113

136

95

98

91

136

A26#

104

114

156

110

122

131

154

102

110

95

156

A27#

102

115

157

110

131

136

171

104

111

94

171

A28#

107

122

159

108

126

136

135

103

101

95

159

A29#

116

124

191

121

133

163

170

109

125

97

191

A30#

104

117

181

120

132

150

179

107

124

97

181

A31#

102

115

159

112

136

133

184

101

110

96

184

A32#

107

118

238

144

183

157

186

116

122

109

238

A33#

108

123

222

140

143

148

246

107

127

102

246

A34#

110

120

170

123

178

148

251

112

120

103

251

A35#

116

123

179

121

151

143

176

109

114

109

179

A36#

111

117

151

111

138

136

144

102

105

117

151

A37#

160

163

189

133

190

190

181

120

115

131

190

A38#

165

168

143

139

190

196

172

128

118

154

196

A39#

159

217

138

134

165

199

163

129

116

177

217

A40#

108

114

125

105

121

119

118

96

102

110

125

A41#

112

116

111

107

117

124

120

98

105

112

124

A42#

104

121

112

106

117

128

124

98

107

113

128

A43#

102

125

112

109

117

138

139

99

110

115

139

A44#

96

124

114

114

115

151

153

97

113

119

153

A45#

97

118

119

119

130

160

168

93

118

126

168

A46#

99

115

128

127

132

164

172

93

123

129

172

A47#

101

115

136

135

122

157

164

92

127

128

164

A48#

103

113

138

137

130

150

154

88

130

130

154

A49#

107

114

137

137

137

151

153

86

132

132

153

A50#

94

250

119

119

127

186

204

102

117

221

250

A51#

105

159

115

114

123

207

221

102

114

155

221

A52#

99

133

122

121

126

183

192

96

117

136

192

A53#

97

143

118

117

138

229

240

99

117

161

240

A54#

238

244

170

169

135

105

107

84

175

105

244

A55#

154

154

145

145

106

97

98

83

181

95

181

A56#

124

125

118

118

105

94

96

83

125

93

125

A57#

126

127

132

132

100

94

95

83

148

93

148

A58#

130

131

120

119

102

96

97

83

121

95

131

A59#

131

133

120

118

106

96

97

83

145

95

145

A60#

143

157

194

193

143

108

109

83

134

111

194

A61#

159

172

145

143

140

111

113

84

133

118

172

A62#

127

137

114

114

114

104

105

84

115

110

137

A63#

134

144

111

111

102

95

96

84

159

97

159

A64#

111

116

105

105

97

93

95

84

159

94

159

A65#

103

107

101

101

95

92

93

84

162

91

162

A66#

169

187

217

216

159

113

114

83

139

120

217

Note:       * Background concentration is included.

                # ASR within 500 m boundary of the WDII development area to be considered in this EIA Study.

 

 

3.8.3          From the above results, the predicted dust levels at all air sensitive receivers will comply with the 1-hour and 24-hour TSP criteria, with the application of the above mitigation measures.

3.8.4          To further ensure compliance with the AQOs at the ASRs at all time, requirements of the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation shall be adhered to during the construction period.  In addition, good site practices and a comprehensive dust monitoring and audit programme are recommended to minimise cumulative dust impacts.

Operation Phase

3.8.5          The predicted air quality impacts on the ASRs are within the Air Quality Objectives.  No mitigation measures will be required during the operation phase.  However, as good engineering practice, the fresh air intake for the planned hotel should be located at high level and faced away from the CHT portal.

 

3.9              Evaluation of Residual Impacts

Construction Phase

3.9.1          With the recommended mitigation measures during the WDII construction, there will be no adverse residual air quality impact generated from the WDII construction activities.

Operational Phase

3.9.2          No adverse residual air quality impact is predicted.

 

3.10          Environmental Monitoring and Audit

Construction Phase

3.10.1      With the implementation of the proposed dust suppression measures (Section 3.8.1), good site practices and comprehensive dust monitoring and audit, the TSP levels at all of the ASRs will comply with the dust criteria.  Details of the monitoring requirements such as monitoring locations, frequency of baseline and impact monitoring are presented in the stand-alone EM&A Manual.

Operational Phase

3.10.2      Since the predicted air quality in the study area complies with the AQO, no environmental monitoring and audit is proposed.

 

3.11          Conclusion

Construction Phase

3.11.1      During reclamation, filling and surcharging were identified as the major dust sources.  Entrusted CWB tunnel works would also generate a large amount of dust.  Due to the complex sequencing of the activities, ten worst case scenarios of the construction schedules were identified and assessed.  Exceedences of the TSP criteria were predicted to occur at ASRs in the vicinity during construction.  In order to achieve the AQOs, the following mitigation measures for WDII works (including entrusted works) are recommended:

·         strictly limit the truck speed on site to below 10 km per hour and water spraying to keep the haul roads in wet condition;

·         twice daily watering of the work site with active operations when the weather and the work site are dry;

·         watering during excavation and material handling;

·         provision of vehicle wheel and body washing facilities at the exit points of the site, combined with cleaning of public roads where necessary; and

·         tarpaulin covering of all dusty vehicle loads transported to, from and between site locations.

3.11.2      With the above mitigation measures, the air quality at all ASRs would comply with the 1-hour and 24-hour TSP criteria.  There would be no adverse residual air quality impacts due to the WDII construction activities.

Operational Phase

3.11.3      The cumulative effect arising from the background pollutant levels within and adjacent to the WDII, vehicle emissions from open road networks, tunnel portal and ventilation building emissions from the CWB & IECL, tunnel portal emissions from the CHT and portal emissions from existing underpasses and planned deckovers were assessed.    Results show that the predicted air quality at the ASRs would comply with the AQOs.  No mitigation measures are proposed.

 

 

 


 

 

 


 



([1])   Maunsell Consultants Asia Ltd.  Agreement No. CE 5/95, Central-Wan Chai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link, Design and Construction Assignment, Project Review Study, EIA Report.

([2])   Maunsell Consultants Asia Ltd. (2001).  Central-Wan Chai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link, Design and Construction Assignment, Project Review Study, “Technical Note on Model Calibration for Cross Harbour Tunnel and Its Nearby Roads”.

([3])   Maunsell Environmental Management Consultants Ltd. (2001).  “Short-term Air Quality Monitoring near Cross Harbour Tunnel”.