EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ES 1          An Environmental Permit (EP-085/2000/C) was granted to Highways Department by the Environmental Protection Department for the construction of Route 8 Project between Tsing Yi and Cheung Sha Wan.  This EP covers four phases of the Route 8 Project namely Phase 1 – Ngong Shuen Chau Viaduct, Phase 2a – Nam Wan Tunnel and West Tsing Yi Viaduct, Phase 2b – East Tsing Yi Viaduct and Phase 3 – Stonecutters Bridge.

ES 2          The construction of the Route 8 – Ngong Shuen Chau Viaduct was awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company (Group) (CHEC) on 10th April 2002.  The construction works was commenced on 29th July 2002 and the substantial completion of the construction works was granted on 21st August 2007.

ES 3          This is the 62nd monthly Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) report for “Phase 1 - Route 8 Ngong Shuen Chau Viaduct Contract (HY/2000/21)”.  This report presents the results of the EM&A works conducted during the period between 29th August 2007 and 28th September 2007 in accordance with the EM&A Manual which forms part of the EIA Report (Register No. AEIAR-018/1999).

ES 4          During the monitoring period, the remaining outstanding construction activities undertaken during normal hours are highlighted as follows:

i.                     laying waterproofing and friction course for viaduct;

ii.                   lighting cabling works;

iii.                  road paving and marking works;

iv.                 footpath formation;

v.                   landscaping and establishment work at ground level;

vi.                 Gas main diversion; and

vii.                site clearance.

 

ES 5          During the monitoring period, some of the outstanding construction activities were undertaken during public holidays and are highlighted as follows:

i.                     grouting plinth for parapet double railing; and

ii.                   finishing works to column

 

ES 6          Monitoring of Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) and Noise were carried out in accordance with the EM&A Manual.  Weekly site inspections were conducted by the ET on 7th, 14th, 18th and 28th September 2007 and the joint IEC monthly audit was conducted on 18th September 2007.  A joint site inspection with EPD was carried out on 20th September 2007.

Air Quality

ES 7          A total of 45 sets of 1-hour TSP and 18 sets of 24-hour TSP measurement were taken during the reporting period at ASR1, ASR2 and ASR3 and the results of all measurements taken were below the Action/Limit (AL) Levels.

Noise

ES 8          In order to assess the construction noise impact effectively for all noise monitoring locations (NSR1 to NSR3) from this Contract, an adjustment approach was adopted since 1st March 2005 and had been consulted with EPD to audit merely the construction noise levels against the statutory noise limits.  The measured noise levels were adjusted with the corresponding baseline levels in order to facilitate the interpretation of the construction noise levels and this in turn would determine the actual construction noise impact contributed solely by the Phase 1 construction activities.

Daytime Monitoring

ES 9          A total of 12 sets of Leq(30min) measurements were taken in the daytime (i.e. 0700 to 1900 hours on normal weekdays) at all monitoring stations (NSR1, NSR2 and NSR3) during the reporting period and no exceedances were recorded.

Evening and night-time Monitoring

ES 10       Since no construction work was undertaken during evening and night-time, therefore no evening and night-time noise monitoring was carried out during the reporting period.

Public-holiday Monitoring

ES 11       A total of 2 sets of 6 x Leq(5min) measurements were taken in public holidays (i.e. 0700 to 1900 hours during public holiday) at the closest monitoring station, NSR2, during the reporting period and no exceedances were recorded.

Water Quality

ES 12       A total of 3 Effluent Discharge Licenses were granted by EPD.  In accordance with the conditions of the licenses, water sampling at designated discharge points shall be carried out on a monthly basis for area P1-SA1 (Part 1) (Grid 1 to 9) and on a quarterly basis for areas P1-SA1 (Part 2) (Grid 10 to 27, Container Port Road E/B), P1-SA6, P1-SA8 and P1-SA11.

ES 13       Five water samples were taken for the whole site by CHEC on 28th August 2007.  The water samples were subsequently tested by a HOKLAS accredited laboratory and the results indicated that they have fully complied with the Specific Condition as stipulated in the approved license. In addition, pH and COD were also analyzed and the results also complied with the limits stipulated in the approved licenses.

ES 14       Two water samples were taken for P1-SA1 (Part 1, Grid 1 to 9) by CHEC on 28th September 2007.  The results of the water samples will be reported in the next EM&A monthly report.  The next sampling is scheduled for October 2007 for P1-SA1 (Part 1, Grid 1 to 9).

Waste Management

ES 15       A revised Waste Management Plan (Rev. 20) was submitted to EPD for information on 26th June 2007 with the latest information including the most up to date estimation of inert C&D materials and non-inert C&D materials.

ES 16       With effect from 6th February 2005, all inert C&D material had been disposed of at Tuen Mun Fill Bank. The trip ticket system has been implemented effectively during the reporting period.

ES 17       A total of 218 no. of trucks (approximately 981 m3) of inert C&D materials were delivered to Tuen Mun Fill Bank during the reporting period.  Approximate 186 tones of C&D waste was produced on-site and were delivered to SENT.  In addition, a total of 800mL of spent lube oil was disposed off site as chemical waste during the reporting period.

ES 18       On 7th December 2005, approval was granted by PFC, CEDD to import a maximum of 3,000m3 of soft material from “HY2002/26 – Stonecutters Bridge” for re-usage purposes.  A total of 2,004m3 of soft material were delivered from HY2002/26 to Phase 1 Contract since December 2005.

Site Audits / Inspections

ES 19       Weekly site inspections were carried out by the ET and the major findings are presented below:

Item

Findings

Corrective and Preventive measures proposed by CHEC

Effectiveness of measures

1

No wheel washing facilities were provided at vehicular exit at area P1-SA1 (Part 2) and P1-SA6 (STP).

A high pressure water jet had been provided at the site exit of area P1-SA1 (Part 2). 

The vehicular exit at area P1-SA6 (STP) had been closed due to completion of major works.

Completed and closed.

(Please refer to Appendix Q, Photo 01 & 02).

2

Stagnant water with algae was accumulated in the surface channels at area P1-SA9 (next to CRE’s office).

The mentioned surface channels had been cleared immediately after site inspection.

Completed and closed.  (Please refer to Appendix Q, Photo 03).

3

Ground surface was contaminated due to oil leakage at area P1-SA1 (Part 1 & 2).

In addition, standalone oil/fuel drums were observed at area P1-SA1 (Part 1, next to Luen Hing workshop).

All contaminated material had been cleared as chemical waste and temporarily stored in the chemical waste storage area at P1-SA1.

Drip trays had been provided for all oil/fuel drums.

Completed and closed.  (Please refer to Appendix Q, Photo 04).

 

ES 20       The monthly IEC audit was carried out on 18th September 2007, two observations were recorded and they are presented in the table below.

Item

Findings

Corrective and Preventive measures proposed by CHEC

Effectiveness of measures

1

Stagnant water with algae was accumulated in the surface channels at area P1-SA9 (next to CRE’s office).

The mentioned surface channels had been cleared immediately after site audit.

Completed and closed.  (Please refer to Appendix Q, Photo 03).

2

Ground surface was contaminated due to oil leakage at area P1-SA1 (Part 1 & 2).

All contaminated material had been cleared as chemical waste and temporarily stored in the chemical waste storage area at P1-SA1.

Completed and closed.  (Please refer to Appendix Q, Photo 04).

 

 

 

EPD Inspections

ES 21       A joint inspection was carried out with EPD on 20th September 2007.  During the joint site inspection, no NCs or observations were recorded.  However, further improvement could be adopted to enhance the current site conditions as advised by the EPD and it is highlighted as follow:

Item

Findings

Corrective and Preventive measures proposed by CHEC

Effectiveness of measures

1

The frequency of water spraying by means of using water bowser, hoses and sprinklers should be continued for all exposed earth in order to mitigate any dust nuisance / impact generated from the construction site, in particular for area P1-SA1 (Part 2, Old Container Port Road) and P1-SA6 (next to Hing Wah Street West, Eastbound).

CHEC reported that water spraying by means of deploying water bowser has been provided on site in order to maintain the exposed surface moist at all times.

The situation will be monitored by RSS and ET continuously.

 

 

Environmental Permits / Licenses

ES 1          The following permits / licenses have been granted by EPD for the construction of the Phase 1 Contract and they are:-

i.                     Environmental Permit (EP-085/2000/C)

ii.                   Chemical Waste Producer Registration  (WPN – 5213-269-C3215-01)

iii.                  3 Effluent Discharge Licences (EP482/269/0039/I; EP482/269/0040/I & EP760/269/012374/I)

iv.                 2 Construction Noise Permits (GW-RW0099-07; GW-RW0487-07).

Environmental Complaints

ES 2          No environmental complaints were received during the reporting period.

ES 3          A total of 11 environmental complaints had been received for Route 8 - Phase 1 Ngong Shuen Chau Viaduct contract since the commencement of the construction.

Notifications of Summons and Prosecution

ES 4          Since the commencement of construction, no notifications of summons or prosecution were received on the environmental performance for this Contract.

Future Key Issues

ES 5          The tentative program of major site activities as well as the impact prediction and control measures for the coming month are summarized below:

Construction Works

Major Impact Prediction

Control Measures

Drainage work; laying of friction course; road making works; installation of railing; erection of fencing; TCSS and lighting cabling works.

Air impact

(dust and machine emission)

i.       Frequent watering of haul road and unpaved/exposed areas;

ii.     Frequent watering or covering stockpiles with tarpaulin or similar means;

iii.    Regular maintenance of onsite machinery and vehicles; and

iv.   Reinstate the worked area by hydroseed or similar means.

Water quality impact

(muddy run-off)

i.       Collecting and recycling of wastewater produced on-site if possible;

ii.     Perimeter protection such as sandbag barriers and sealing the bottom of concrete barrier to avoid run-off entering the existing storm water drainage system;

iii.    Diverting the collected effluent to de-silting facilities for treatment before discharge to public drains; and

iv.   Covering of exposed slope with tarpaulin or similar means during rainstorm

Noise Impact

i.       Scheduling of noisy construction activities if necessary to avoid persistent noisy operation;

ii.     Controlling the number of plants use on site;

iii.    Regular maintenance of machines; and

iv.   Use of acoustic barriers if necessary.

 

Route 8 - Traffic Control and Surveillance System (TCSS)

ES 6          The construction of the “Route 8 – Traffic Control and Surveillance System Contract (HY/2003/05)” (TCSS) Contract was awarded to Delcan-Imtech-GECS-Joint Venture (DIGJV) and the construction work of TCSS within Phase 1 Contract site area was commenced on 4th April 2007. During the reporting month, routine checking and TCSS field equipment installation were carried out by DIGJV.

ES 7          A joint site audit amongst IEC/ET/RSS/DIGJV was carried out on 18th September 2007.  No adverse comments were raised by ET, IEC and RSS.