TABLE OF CONTENT

4 Noise Impact. 4-1

4.1 Introduction. 4-1

4.2 Environmental Legislation, Standards and Criteria. 4-1

4.3 Description of Environment 4-3

4.4 Noise Sensitive Receivers. 4-3

4.5 Identification of Environmental Impacts. 4-4

4.6 Assessment Methodology. 4-5

4.7 Prediction and Evaluation of Environmental Impacts. 4-8

4.8 Mitigation of Adverse Environmental Impacts. 4-9

4.9 Evaluation of Residual Impacts. 4-10

4.10 Environmental Monitoring and Audit 4-10

4.11 Conclusion. 4-10

List of Drawings
Figure 4.1	Locations of Noise Sensitive Receivers
Figure 4.2	Extent of ¡§Project¡¨ Roads Under the Project
Figure 4.3	Extent of Low Noise Road Surface on Existing Roads within Study Area

List of Appendices
Appendix 4.1	Agreement and Confirmation Letters from Relevant Government Departments and Authorities
Appendix 4.2	Photographs of the Existing Representative Noise Sensitive Receivers
Appendix 4.3	Construction Programme
Appendix 4.4	Construction Plant Inventory (Unmitigated Scenario)
Appendix 4.5	2040 Peak Hour Traffic Forecast
Appendix 4.6	Construction Noise Calculation (Unmitigated Scenario)
Appendix 4.7	Cumulative Construction Noise Calculation (Unmitigated Scenario)
Appendix 4.8	Detailed Results of Road Traffic Noise Assessment (Unmitigated Scenario)
Appendix 4.9	Layout of Road Plots

List of Tables

Table 4.1 Area Sensitivity Ratings (ASRs) 4-1

Table 4.2 Construction Noise Criteria for Activities Other Than Percussive Piling. 4-2

Table 4.3 Details of Representative Noise Sensitive Receivers. 4-4

Table 4.4 Summary of Unmitigated Construction Noise Assessment Results due to the Project 4-8

Table 4.5 Summary of Unmitigated Cumulative Construction Noise Assessment Results. 4-9

Table 4.6 Summary of Unmitigated Road Traffic Noise Assessment Results. 4-9

4 Noise Impact

4.1 Introduction

4.1.1.1 This section presents an assessment of potential noise impacts associated with the construction and operation of the Project. The noise impact assessment has been conducted in accordance with the requirements of Annex 5 and Annex 13 of the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM) as well as the requirements set out under Clause 3.4.4 of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study Brief (No. ESB-316/2019) (hereinafter ¡§the Study Brief¡¨).

4.2 Environmental Legislation, Standards and Criteria

4.2.1 General

4.2.1.1 Noise impacts have been assessed in accordance with the criteria and methodology given in the EIAO-TM and the Technical Memoranda made under the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).

4.2.1.2 The NCO and EIAO provide the statutory framework for noise control. Assessment procedures and standards are set out in the following TMs:

¡P EIAO-TM

¡P Technical Memorandum for the Assessment of Noise from Places other than Domestic Premises, Public Places or Construction Sites (IND-TM);

¡P Technical Memorandum on Noise from Construction Work in Designated Areas (DA-TM);

¡P Technical Memorandum on Noise from Construction Work other than Percussive Piling (GW-TM); and

¡P Technical Memorandum on Noise from Percussive Piling (PP-TM).

4.2.1.3 With regard to the assessments of the construction noise impact during restricted hours, the NCO designates acceptable noise levels for Noise Sensitive Receivers (NSRs) on the basis of an Area Sensitivity Rating (ASR), based on the characteristics of the area within which they are located such as rural, village, low-density residential, or urban (see Table 4.1). Within these areas, the presence of "influencing factors" (such as the presence of industrial area or major roads) can further affect the ASR and hence the acceptable noise levels.

Table 4.1 Area Sensitivity Ratings (ASRs)

Type of Area Containing NSR	Degree to which NSR is affected by Influencing Factor
	Not Affected	Indirectly Affected	Directly Affected
Rural area, including country parks or village type developments	A	B	B
Low density residential area consisting of low-rise or isolated high-rise developments	A	B	C
Urban area	B	C	C
Area other than those above	B	B	C

Note:

¡P ¡§Country park¡¨ means an area that is designated as a country park pursuant to section 14 of the Country Parks Ordinance;

¡P ¡§Directly affected" means that the NSR is at such a location that noise generated by the IF is readily noticeable at the NSR and is a dominant feature of the noise climate of the NSR;

¡P "Indirectly affected" means that the NSR is at such a location that noise generated by the IF, whilst noticeable at the NSR, is not a dominant feature of the noise climate of the NSR;

¡P "Not affected" means that the NSR is at such a location that noise generated by the IF is not noticeable at the NSR; and

¡P "Urban area" means an area of high density, diverse development including a mixture of such elements as industrial activities, major trade or commercial activities and residential premises.

4.2.2 Construction Noise

General Construction Works

4.2.2.1 The NCO provides the statutory framework for noise control of construction works, other than percussive piling, using powered mechanical equipment (PME) between the hours of 1900 and 0700 hours or at any time on Sundays and general holiday (that is, restricted hours). Noise control on construction activities taking place at other times is subject to the Noise Standards for Daytime Construction Activities stated in Table 1B of Annex 5 in the EIAO-TM. The noise limit is L_{eq(30 minutes)} 75 dB(A) at the façades of domestic premises, hotels and hostels, and L_{eq(30 minutes)} 70 dB(A) at the façade of educational institutions (L_{eq(30 minutes)} 65 dB(A) during examinations).

Construction Works during Restricted Hours

4.2.2.2 Between 1900 and 0700 hours and all day on Sundays and general holidays, activities involving the use of PME for the purpose of carrying out construction works are prohibited unless a Construction Noise Permit (CNP) has been obtained. A CNP may be granted provided that the Acceptable Noise Level (ANL) for the NSRs can be complied with. ANLs are assigned depending upon the ASR. The corresponding basic noise levels (BNLs) for evening and night time periods are given in Table 4.2.

Table 4.2 Construction Noise Criteria for Activities Other Than Percussive Piling

Time Period	Basic Noise Level (BNLs), dB(A)
	ASR A	ASR B	ASR C
All days during the evening (1900 to 2300 hours), and general holidays (including Sundays) during the day-time and evening (0700 to 2300 hours)	60	65	70
All days during the night-time (2300 to 0700 hours)	45	50	55

4.2.2.3 Despite any description made in this EIA, there is no guarantee that a CNP will be issued for the project construction. The Noise Control Authority will consider a well-justified CNP application, once filed, for construction works within restricted hours as guided by the relevant Technical Memoranda issued under the Noise Control Ordinance. The Noise Control Authority will take into account of contemporary conditions / situations of adjoining land uses and any previous complaints against construction activities at the site before making his decision in granting a CNP. Nothing in this EIA shall bind the Noise Control Authority in making his decision. If a CNP is to be issued, the Noise Control Authority shall include in it any condition he thinks fit. Failure to comply with any such conditions will lead to cancellation of the CNP and prosecution action under the NCO.

4.2.2.4 According to the Designated Area Plan No. EPD/AN/K&NT-1 under DA-TM, the Project area falls within the Designated Area. Under the DA-TM, the use of five types of Specified Powered Mechanical Equipment (SPME) and three types of Prescribed Construction Work (PCW) within a designated area during restricted hours would require a valid CNP. The SPME includes hand-held breaker, bulldozer, concrete lorry mixer, dump truck and hand-held vibratory poker. The PCW are:

¡P Erecting or dismantling of formwork or scaffolding.

¡P Loading, unloading or handling of rubble, wooden boards, steel bars, wood or scaffolding material.

¡P Hammering.

4.2.2.5 In general, it should not be presumed that a CNP would be granted for carrying out PCW within a designated area during restricted hours. The CNP may be granted for the execution of construction works during restricted hours involving the use of PME and/ or SPME if the relevant Acceptable Noise Levels and criteria stipulated in the GW-TM and DA-TM can be met. These noise level requirements are more stringent (i.e. 15 dB(A) less than those listed in the GW-TM) to offer additional protection to the population.

4.2.2.6 According to the construction programme, most of the proposed construction works will be carried out during non-restricted hours. Certain construction works would be carried out during restricted hours in order to minimize the impact on local traffic during normal peak hours. In case of any construction activities during restricted hours (1900 ¡V 0700), it is the Contractor¡¦s responsibility to ensure compliance with the NCO and the relevant TMs. The Contractor will be required to submit CNP application to the Noise Control Authority and abide by any conditions stated in the CNP, should one be issued.

4.2.2.7 Percussive piling is prohibited between 1900 and 0700 hours on any weekday not being a general holiday and at any time on Sunday or general holiday. A CNP is required for the carrying out of percussive piling between 0700 and 1900 hours on any day not being a general holiday. PP-TM sets out the requirements for working and determination of the permitted hours of operations for the CNP applications. The permitted hours of operations would be 3, 5 or 12 hours per day depending on the types of percussive piling and the predicted noise impact at NSRs.

4.2.3 Operation Phase ¡V Road Traffic Noise

4.2.3.1 For road traffic noise, the following L_{10(1 hour)} criteria stipulated in Annex 5, Table 1A of EIAO-TM are adopted for different types of noise sensitive receivers (NSRs):

¡P 70 dB(A) at 1 m from the external façades of residential dwellings, hotels, offices;

¡P 65 dB(A) at 1 m from the external façades of schools, places of public worship, courts of law, places where unaided voice communication is required; and

¡P 55 dB(A) at 1 m from the external façades of hospital and clinics.

4.3 Description of Environment

4.3.1.1 The Project site is situated within part of the WKCD area and across the toll plaza of the Western Harbour Crossing (WHC). The western boundaries of the Study Area are at the side of the WKCD Waterfront Promenade to the west of the WHC toll plaza, while the eastern boundaries of the Study Area are at the side of the Austin Road West / Nga Cheung Road roundabout. The surrounding land uses are mainly residential, industrial, recreational and government, institution or community (G/IC) uses. The prevailing noise climate of the assessment area is dominated by the road traffic noise from the existing WHC toll plaza, Lin Cheung Road, Canton Road, West Kowloon Highway, Jordan Road and Austin Road West.

4.4 Noise Sensitive Receivers

4.4.1.1 The assessment area for noise impact assessment is defined by a distance of 300m from the Project boundary and agreed with the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP). The agreement letters from DEP on the Project boundary, assessment area and assessment points are presented in Appendix 4.1. The representative NSRs within the assessment area for the construction and operation noise impact assessments have been identified based on the finding of the site visits and review of latest information from Planning Department, and Lands Department as well as the statutory Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) gazetted under Town Planning Ordinance including OZP Plan No. S/K20/30 ¡V South West Kowloon.

4.4.1.2 Representative NSRs located close to the subject noise sources (i.e. the first layer of NSRs) are considered as the most affected location. The building height of the first layer of NSRs (including The Harbourside, Cullinan I and II) is about 250 mAG while the building height of the second layout NSR (i.e. The Waterfront) is about 140 mAG. In addition, it is located at a long distance of more than 280m to the Project boundary. The first layer of NSRs would provide acoustic shielding to those receivers at further distance behind. The noise impacts arising from the Project on this residential building would be less significant than the first layer of NSRs, and therefore not considered in this assessment. The first layer of NSRs represent the worst-case scenario and have been selected as representative NSRs for the noise assessment. For the planned commercial buildings, theatres, museums and exhibition centre in WKCD, these developments are anticipated to be provided with central air-conditionings and therefore would not be considered as representative points for noise impact assessment. The planned residential development of WKCD, Parcel 27, would be occupied after the completion of this Project. Therefore, it has been excluded for construction noise assessment. The representative NSRs identified within 300m from the Project boundary are presented in Table 4.3 below. Locations of the representative NSRs are shown in Figure 4.1. Photographs of the existing NSRs are provided in Appendix 4.2.

Table 4.3 Details of Representative Noise Sensitive Receivers

NSR	Description	No. of Storeys with Noise Sensitive Use	Type of Use	Approximate Horizontal Distance to Project Boundary (m)	Consideration in Construction [C] Phase or Operation [O] Phase
CUL1	The Cullinan I	58 ^[1]	Residential	85	C&O
CUL2	The Cullinan II	24 ^[2]	Residential and Hotel	110	C&O
HT	The Harbourside ¡V Tower 3	65	Residential	180	C&O
SRT	Sorrento ¡V Tower 1	65	Residential	110	C&O
P27 ^[3]	Parcel 27 in WKCD	21	Residential	250	O

Note:

[1] All floors for residential use were included in the assessment (i.e. 12/F, 15/F-23/F, 25/F-33/F, 35/F-38/F, 50/F-52/F. 55/F-57/F, 59/F-63/F, 67/F-73/F, 75/F-83/F and 85/F-92/F).

[2] Floors for hotel development (/F) are provided with central air conditioning and do not rely on opened windows for natural ventilation. Therefore, only floors for residential use were included in the assessment (i.e. 67/F-73/F, 75/F-83/F and 85/F-92/F).

[3] Owned by WKCDA and tentative population intake in Year 2027.

4.5 Identification of Environmental Impacts

4.5.1 Construction Phase

4.5.1.1 Potential source of noise impact during construction phase of the Project would be the use of PME for various construction activities. Major construction works of the Project include site clearance (including demolition of existing carriageways), foundation and superstructure works of the proposed road works within the Project boundary. No off-site works area within Hong Kong would be involved. Details of the proposed construction methods are described in Section 2 of this EIA Report.

4.5.1.2 In case of any construction activities during restricted hours (1900 ¡V 0700), it is the Contractor¡¦s responsibility to ensure compliance with the NCO and the relevant TMs. The Contractor will be required to submit CNP application to the Noise Control Authority and abide by any conditions stated in the CNP, should one be issued. Therefore, only noise impact from general construction activities during the non-restricted hours have been assessed in this EIA Report.

4.5.1.3 The construction of the Project is anticipated to commence in 2022 and complete by 2025. The tentative construction programme for the Project is provided in Appendix 4.3. Based on current available information provided by WKCDA, concurrent projects have been identified including Integrated Basement for West Kowloon Cultural District ¡V Zone 2A (construction from 2020 to 2025), Integrated Basement for West Kowloon Cultural District ¡V Zone 2BC (construction from 2021 to 2027), Integrated Basement for West Kowloon Cultural District ¡V Zone 3B (construction period from 2017 to 2023), Exhibition Centre in Zone 4 of West Kowloon Cultural District (construction period from 2022 to 2027), Artist Square Bridge of West Kowloon Cultural District (construction period from 2020 to 2022) and Piers in the WKCD (2022 to 2023). As Integrated Basement for West Kowloon Cultural District ¡V Zone 2A falls outside the Study Area and there is no detailed information available for Piers in the WKCD at the time of assessment, these two concurrent projects were not included in the assessment. Cumulative construction noise impacts from the other four concurrent projects within the Study Area are anticipated. Therefore, cumulative assessment has been conducted.

4.5.2 Operation Phase

Road Traffic Noise

4.5.2.1 Road traffic noise from the road networks within the Study Area, including both the ¡§Project roads¡¨ and the ¡§Other Roads¡¨, would be the major noise source during the operation phase. "Project roads" refers to the planned road sections within the meaning of item A.1 and A.8, Part I, Schedule 2 of the EIAO, as detailed below. All road sections other than the ¡§Project roads¡¨ as defined above are regarded as ¡§Other Roads¡¨ in this assessment. The extent of ¡§Project roads¡¨ is presented in Figure 4.2.

Item A.1, Part I, Schedule 2 of the EIAO	¡V	A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to existing roads
Item A.8, Part I, Schedule 2 of the EIAO	¡V	A road or railway bridge more than 100 m in length between abutments

Fixed Plant Noise

4.5.2.2 The Project itself is not a fixed noise source. No fixed noise impact would arise from the Project. Therefore, fixed plant noise impact was not evaluated in this assessment.

4.6 Assessment Methodology

4.6.1 Construction Phase

4.6.1.1 The construction noise impact assessment was undertaken based on standard acoustic principles and followed the procedures given in the GW-TM. The sound pressure level of each construction activity has been calculated, depending on the number of plant items and the distance from NSR. The general approach is summarized below:

¡P Locate the NSRs which would most likely be affected by noise from the construction work;

¡P Determine the items of PME for each discrete construction activity, based on available information or agreed plant inventories;

¡P Assign sound power levels (SWLs) to the proposed PME according to the GW-TMs or other recognized sources of reference, where appropriate;

¡P Calculate distance attenuation and screening effects to NSRs from notional noise source

¡P Apply corrections in the calculations such as potential screening effects and acoustic reflection, if any;

¡P Predict construction noise levels at NSRs in the absence of any mitigation measures;

¡P Consider cumulative impact from concurrent projects within 300m of the NSRs, if any;

¡P Compare the cumulative construction noise level against the corresponding noise criterion and propose suitable mitigation measure where necessary.

4.6.1.2 The construction programme and the plant inventory (including type and quantity of the PME used as well as percentage on time utilization) are presented in Appendix 4.3 and Appendix 4.4 respectively. The plant inventory and associated plant utilization rates adopted for the assessment have been confirmed by the Project Engineer to be practical and suitable for the proposed works. The construction programme was agreed by the Director of Environmental Protection and the agreement letter is presented in Appendix 4.1. Based on the construction programme and the sound power level (SWL) of equipment in Table 3 of GW-TM [1] or ¡§Sound power levels of other commonly used PME" (Other PME) published by EPD [2], the SWL of each construction activity has been calculated, based on the type and quantity of the PME used as well as percentage on time utilization.

4.6.1.3 To calculate the sound pressure level of each construction activities, distance attenuation correction has been applied. The distance attenuation was determined by using the following formula:

Distance Attenuation in dB(A) = 20 log D + 8

where D is distance between notional source position of workfront and NSR in metres

4.6.1.4 The following assumptions have been applied as well:

¡P A +3 dB(A) façade correction was added to the predicted noise levels to account for the facade effect at each identified representative NSR;

¡P All PME items required for a particular construction activity was assumed to be located at the notional source position, a position mid-way between the approximate geographical centre of the construction site and its boundary nearest to the NSR, of the workfront where such activity is to be performed in accordance with the GW-TM;

¡P Only the dominant portion of the linear site closest to the NSR with a length to width ratio of 5:1 was considered for the purpose of determining the notional source position, when the construction site is linear in shape with a length to width ratio exceeding 5:1 in accordance with the GW-TM; and

¡P As a worst-case assumption, noise impact at the nearest sensitive facades of the residential buildings to the source positions was assessed

4.6.1.5 The noise levels at the NSRs have then been predicted by adding up the SPLs of all concurrent construction tasks within the Study Area from the Project. An EIA study covering the four concerned concurrent projects was undertaken by WKCDA and published in 2013 [3]. Based on the latest construction programme and locations of workfronts provided by WKCDA, plant inventory and the associated noise mitigation measures recommended in the EIA, cumulative construction noise impact was assessed.

4.6.1.6 The predicted construction noise impact would be compared with the noise standards mentioned in Section 4.2.2.1. If exceedance of relevant noise standards is predicted, practicable direct noise mitigation measures including the use of quieter equipment, movable noise barriers, noise barriers, enclosures and quieter alternative methods would be considered. Appropriate correction factors for barrier effect would be adopted in accordance with Section 2.10 of the GW-TM. In cases where the mitigated noise levels still exceed the relevant criteria, the duration of noise exceedance would be reviewed.

4.6.2 Operation Phase

4.6.2.1 Road traffic noise impact was predicted using the methodology provided in the UK Department of Transport Calculation of Road Traffic Noise (CRTN) 1988. Road traffic noise levels are presented in terms of noise levels exceeded for 10% of the one-hour period during the peak traffic flow, i.e. L_10(1hour) dB(A). A 2.5 dB(A) façade reflection and correction factors for effects due to gradient, distance, view angle, road surface and barriers was included in the assessment.

4.6.2.2 Traffic noise was predicted based on the worst-case year traffic forecast within 15 years upon commencement of operation of the proposed roadworks according to Appendix C of the EIA Study Brief and Section 5.1 in Annex 13 of the EIAO-TM. Based on the latest project programme, the proposed road network is expected to be in operation in Year 2025. The assessment year for road traffic noise was taken as Year 2040 which is the maximum traffic projection within 15 years after full operation of the proposed roadwork. The peak traffic flow with the Project in Year 2040 is shown in Appendix 4.5. Transport Department has no comment on the use of the traffic forecast for this Study and the endorsement letter is also attached in Appendix 4.5.

4.6.2.3 The Unmitigated scenario in Year 2040 was studied in the assessment.

4.6.2.4 For the purpose of the traffic noise assessment in the EIA study, the roads within 300m from the proposed Project boundary were included in the assessment. Road sections included in the assessment with the extent of Project roads are depicted in Figure 4.2. The characteristics of the road network such as road width, surface type and traffic flow and the use of low noise road surfacing (LNRS) were considered in the assessment. The extent of LNRS on the existing road networks was confirmed with Highways Department and is illustrated in Figure 4.3. The confirmation letter of Highways Department is presented in Appendix 4.1.

4.6.2.5 If an exceedance of noise limit at any NSR occurred, noise mitigation measures would be considered to alleviate the traffic noise impact.

4.6.2.6 Direct mitigation measures would be proposed for Project roads if there would be an adverse environmental impact. If the NSRs are affected by noise from other existing roads, direct mitigation measures are required to reduce the noise from the Project roads to a level that it:-

¡P is not higher than the noise standard; and

¡P has no significant contribution (less than 1.0 dB(A)) to the cumulative noise level, if the cumulative noise level (i.e. noise from the new roads together with other existing roads) exceeds the noise standard.

4.6.2.7 If any façades of NSRs are still exposed to predicted noise levels exceeding the relevant noise criteria after the implementation of all direct mitigation measures, provision of indirect technical remedies in the form of acoustic insulation and air conditioning should be considered under the EIAO-TM and EIAO Guidance Note No. 12/2010. The eligibility for indirect technical remedies would be tested against the following three criteria:

¡P The predicted overall noise level from the Project roads, together with other traffic noise in the vicinity must be above a specified noise level (for example, 70 dB(A) for domestic premises and 65 dB(A) for educational institutions. All are in L_{10 (1hour)});

¡P The predicted overall noise level is at least 1.0 dB(A) more than the prevailing traffic noise level, i.e. the total traffic noise level existing before the works to construct Project roads were commenced; and

¡P The contribution to the increase in the predicted overall noise level from the Project roads must be at least 1.0 dB(A).

4.6.3 Level of Uncertainty

4.6.3.1 The predictions of construction and road traffic noise impacts were based on the methodologies described in the GW-TM under the NCO and the UK Department of Transport ¡§Calculation of Road Traffic Noise¡¨ (1988) respectively. The methodology which had previously been applied in other EIA studies is generally accepted for use in assessing construction and traffic noise impacts against EIAO-TM noise criteria.

4.6.3.2 There would be some limitations such as the accuracy of the predictive base data for future conditions e.g. traffic flow forecasts and plant inventory for the proposed construction works. Uncertainties in the assessment of impacts have been considered when drawing conclusions from the assessment.

4.6.3.3 In carrying out the assessment, realistic worst-case assumptions have been made in order to provide a conservative assessment of noise impacts. The construction noise impact was assessed based on conservative estimates for the types of plant and methods of working. As for the assessment of road traffic noise impact, peak hourly traffic flows representing the worst-case scenario were adopted.

4.7 Prediction and Evaluation of Environmental Impacts

4.7.1 Construction Noise

4.7.1.1 Potential construction noise impacts during the non-restricted hours have been assessed at the representative NSRs based on the construction programme as shown in Appendix 4.3 and the construction plant inventory presented in Appendix 4.4. The unmitigated noise assessment results are summarized in Table 4.4. Details of the unmitigated construction noise assessment are presented in Appendix 4.6.

Table 4.4 Summary of Unmitigated Construction Noise Assessment Results due to the Project

NSR	Criteria, dB(A)	Predicted Unmitigated Construction Noise Level Leq 30-min, dB(A)
CUL1	75	62 ¡V 75
CUL2	75	62 ¡V 71
HT	75	61 ¡V 70
SRT	75	59 ¡V 72

4.7.1.2 Referring to Table 4.4, in the absence of noise mitigation measures, the predicted noise levels at the representative NSRs would be in the range of 59 dB(A) to 75 dB(A). No non-compliances of the construction noise criteria would be predicted at the representative NSRs. Hence, direct mitigation measures would not be required.

4.7.1.3 According to Section 4.6.1.5, cumulative construction noise impacts have been assessed at the representative NSRs based on the latest construction programme, locations of workfronts, plant inventory and the associated noise mitigation measures recommended in the approved WKCD EIA Report ³. The cumulative construction noise assessment results are summarized in Table 4.5. Details of the unmitigated cumulative construction noise assessment are presented in Appendix 4.7.

Table 4.5 Summary of Unmitigated Cumulative Construction Noise Assessment Results

NSR	Criteria, dB(A)	Predicted Unmitigated Construction Noise Level Leq 30-min, dB(A)
CUL1	75	66 ¡V 75
CUL2	75	66 ¡V 71
HT	75	65 ¡V 74
SRT	75	63 ¡V 72

4.7.1.4 Referring to Table 4.5, in the absence of noise mitigation measures, the predicted noise levels at the representative NSRs would be in the range of 63 dB(A) to 75 dB(A). No non-compliances of the construction noise criteria would be predicted at the representative NSRs. Hence, direct mitigation measures would not be required.

4.7.2 Operational Phase

4.7.2.1 Road traffic noise assessment has been conducted for the representative NSRs in the worst-case year 2040. The predicted traffic noise levels at the representative NSRs under the unmitigated scenario are summarized in Table 4.6. The detailed noise assessment results of each of the NSRs at different assessment levels under the unmitigated scenario are presented in Appendix 4.8. Road-plots of the traffic noise model showing the road segments, barriers and NSRs are presented in Appendix 4.9.

Table 4.6 Summary of Unmitigated Road Traffic Noise Assessment Results

NSR	Criteria, dB(A)	Predicted Noise Level, L10(1-hr), dB(A)
		Project Roads	Overall	Contribution from Project Roads
CUL1	70	58 ¡V 61	75 ¡V 80	0.0 ¡V 0.1
CUL2	70	57 ¡V 58	75 ¡V 77	0.1
HT	70	33 ¡V 40	68 ¡V 73	0.0
SRT	70	54 ¡V 58	75 ¡V 81	0.0
P27	70	50 ¡V 51	71 ¡V 74	0.0

Note:

[1] Exceedances of noise criteria are shown as bold and underlined characters.

4.7.2.2 According to Table 4.6, the predicted noise levels at the representative NSRs are in the range of 68 to 81 dB(A). All representative NSRs would be exposed to a noise level exceeding the noise criteria. The exceedances were dominantly contributed by other existing roads. The contributions from the Project Roads at all NSRs ranged from 0.0 to 0.1 dB(A) and are all less than 1.0 dB(A). The predicted noise levels of the Project Roads ranged from 33 to 61 dB(A) which comply with the noise criteria. Therefore, no adverse road traffic noise impacts arising from the Project at the representative NSRs would be anticipated and direction mitigation measures on the Project Roads are considered not necessary.

4.8 Mitigation of Adverse Environmental Impacts

4.8.1 Construction Noise

4.8.1.1 The construction noise assessment results indicate that, in the absence of any mitigation measures, there would not be exceedances of the construction noise criteria at all representative NSRs. Nevertheless, the following good site practices should be adopted during construction of the Project to minimize noise impact to the surroundings:

¡P Only well-maintained plant should be operated on site and plant should be serviced regularly during the construction program;

¡P Silencers or mufflers on construction equipment should be utilized and should be properly maintained during the construction program;

¡P Mobile plant, if any, should be sited as far from NSRs as possible;

¡P Machines and plant (such as trucks) that may be in intermittent use should be shut down between work periods or should be throttled down to a minimum;

¡P Plant known to emit noise strongly in one direction should, wherever possible, be orientated so that the noise is directed away from the nearby NSRs;

¡P Material stockpiles and other structures should be effectively utilized, wherever practicable, in screening noise from on-site construction activities.

4.8.2 Operation Phase

4.8.2.1 According to Section 4.7.2.2, exceedances of the noise criteria were predicted at some of the representative NSRs, with the predicted noise levels in the range of 68 to 81 dB(A). The exceedances were dominantly contributed by other existing roads. The contributions from the Project Roads to the overall traffic noise at all NSRs ranged from 0.0 to 0.1 dB(A) are all less than 1.0 dB(A) and all the predicted noise levels of the Project Roads ranged from 33 to 61 dB(A) comply with the noise criteria. Therefore, direction mitigation measures on the Project Roads are considered not necessary.

4.9 Evaluation of Residual Impacts

4.9.1 Construction Noise

4.9.1.1 No adverse residual noise impact would be anticipated during the construction phase of the Project.

4.9.2 Operation Phase

4.9.2.1 No adverse residual noise impact would be anticipated during the operation phase of the Project.

4.10 Environmental Monitoring and Audit

4.10.1 Construction Phase

4.10.1.1 No construction noise exceedances would be predicted at the representative NSRs during the construction phase of the Project under unmitigated scenario. Nevertheless, construction noise monitoring is recommended during the construction phase to check compliance with the noise criteria. Regular site environmental audit is also recommended to ensure proper implementation of good site practices. Details of the EM&A programme are provided in a stand-alone EM&A Manual.

4.10.2 Operation Phase

4.10.2.1 No adverse noise impact arising from the Project Roads would be anticipated during the operation phase of the Project. No operational noise monitoring is therefore considered necessary.

4.11 Conclusion

4.11.1 Construction Phase

4.11.1.1 The assessment for the potential construction noise impact from construction of the Project has been conducted. The assessment results indicate that the predicted construction noise levels at all representative NSRs would comply with the noise criteria without mitigation measures. With the implementation of good site management practices, no adverse construction noise impact arising from the Project would be anticipated.

4.11.2 Operation Phase

4.11.2.1 The assessment for the potential road traffic noise impact from operation of the Project has been conducted. The assessment results indicate that the predicted road traffic noise levels at some of the representative NSRs would exceed the noise criteria under unmitigated scenario. The exceedances were dominantly contributed by the other existing roads. The contributions from the Project Roads at all NSRs are all less than 1.0 dB(A) and all the predicted noise levels of the Project Roads comply with the noise criteria. Thus, no adverse road traffic noise impacts arising from the Project would be anticipated.

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[1] Table 3 of Technical Memorandum on Noise from Construction Work Other Than Percussive Piling (GW-TM).

https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/noise/guide_ref/tm_nonpp_4_3.html

[2] Sound power levels of other commonly used PME. https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/sites/default/files/epd/english/application_for_licences/guidance/files/OtherSWLe.pdf

[3] West Kowloon Cultural District Authority. 2013. West Kowloon Cultural District Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Prepared by Mott MacDonald.