Noise Pollution, On-Road Safety and the Overall Quality of the Ambient Environment
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Consultancy Agreement No. NEX/2213 EIA Study for Shatin to Central Link - Hung Hom to Admiralty Section MTR Corporation Limited Environmental Impact Assessment Report (Final) 2. CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES Introduction 2.1 Various options and alternatives of project design and construction methods have been reviewed and considered in the course of the development and selection of preferred scheme for SCL (HUH- ADM), taking account of engineering feasibility, site constraints, programme and environmental aspects. This section presents the details of the options and alternatives considered, and the constraints and considerations assessed in adopting the preferred scheme and construction method. Background Information Purpose and Objective of the Project 2.2 The SCL is strategically important for connecting the existing railway lines into an integrated rail network. The east-west connection, will allow the creation of a 57km east-west corridor across the city connecting Wu Kai Sha with Tuen Mun via Kowloon. The north-south connection will operate over a 41km north-south corridor with services originating in Lok Ma Chau or Lo Wo travelling via the existing East Rail Line to Admiralty Station (ADM). This will facilitate a direct link between Mainland China and Hong Kong Island. 2.3 As part of the SCL, the objective of the SCL (HUH-ADM) (which is the Project being considered in this EIA Report) is to extend the existing East Rail Line from Hung Hom Station (HUH) to the north shore of Hong Kong Island and the Central Business District, providing convenient interchanges at HUH, Exhibition Station (EXH) and ADM. Brief Description of the Project 2.4 The proposed SCL is an extension of the existing Ma On Shan Line via East Kowloon and connect to West Rail Line at Hung Hom, and an extension of the existing East Rail Line from Hung Hom to Admiralty crossing Victoria Harbour. It comprises approximately 17 kilometres of rail line that will connect several existing railway lines, creating two distinct east-west and north-south railway corridors, and provide interchange opportunities, with six of its ten stations (Tai Wai, Diamond Hill, Homantin, Hung Hom, Exhibition and Admiralty). Figure No. NEX2213/C/331/ENS/M50/001 illustrates an overview of the SCL alignment. 2.5 The SCL (HUH-ADM) is an approximately 6km long East Rail Line extension from HUH across the harbour to new EXH and ADM, with provisions to facilitate a possible station at Central in the longer term. This section of SCL alignment will be entirely underground while the associated ventilation building, ventilation shafts, plant rooms and station entrances will form aboveground structures. Scope of the Project 2.6 The Project comprises the following key elements: An approximately 6km extension of the East Rail Line including a rail harbour crossing from Hung Hom to Admiralty on Hong Kong Island; A new EXH located near the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC); An integrated ADM for the existing urban lines, the future SCL and South Island Line (East) (SIL(E)); Ventilation buildings, ventilation shafts, smoke extraction facilities and other associated works of the Project; and AECOM Asia Company Ltd 2-1 Nov 2011 Sec 2_Final Consultancy Agreement No. NEX/2213 EIA Study for Shatin to Central Link - Hung Hom to Admiralty Section MTR Corporation Limited Environmental Impact Assessment Report (Final) Demolition of the existing Kowloon Freight Building at south of HUH to facilitate the construction of the Project. 2.7 Apart from the above key elements, barging facilities, supporting works areas and access roads will be required to support the construction of the Project. 2.8 It should be noted that the works at the HUH would be within the scope of SCL (MKK-HUH). The design and construction of the ADM including associated structures for the SCL (HUH-ADM) will be carried out by the SIL(E) whilst the construction of the overrun tunnel beyond ADM and minor building works will be carried out under SCL (HUH-ADM). Benefits of the Project 2.9 The SCL is an important strategic rail corridor purposed for forming an expanded railway network in Hong Kong that will bring various benefits to the community in return: Providing a fast, reliable and convenient mode of transport running through the northern New Territories, Kowloon and Hong Kong Island; Redistributing railway passenger flows to relieve the existing railway lines in urban Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island; Improving the coverage of the railway network by placing 70% of the population and 80% of the workforce within one km of a railway station, and also by crossing the Harbour to interchange with the the Tsuen Wan Lin, Island Lin and SIL(E) at ADM; Stimulating the redevelopment of Hung Hom and Waterfront areas; and Relieving reliance on road-based transport, resulting in significant reductions in roadside air pollutants, respirable suspended particulates and carbon dioxide, and providing a more environmentally-friendly public transport option in terms of energy conservation. 2.10 The Project provides Hong Kong with the fourth Rail Harbour Crossing which essentially relieves the existing congestion on the Tsuen Wan Line through redistributing railway passengers, and connects the new development areas in Kai Tak with Hong Kong Island. It is predicted that if the SCL is not built on time, the Tsuen Wan Line morning peak line flow in 2021 will exceed its desirable capacity, leading to intensified congestion on existing rail lines and causing huge inconvenience to the passengers. 2.11 More importantly, the expansion in railway network can gradually conduce a significant modal shift in passengers’ travel behaviours from road-based transport to railway system, and thereby soothing the burgeoning reliance on cross harbour road tunnels, especially the demand on the Hung Hom Cross Harbour Tunnel, as well as alleviating environmental nuisance from existing road networks. 2.12 From the environmental perspective, the rail will be powered electrically. Rail is widely recognized as a more sustainable form of transport than road transport in terms of carrying capacity and energy effectiveness, adverse environmental implications such as roadside air pollution associated with electrically-powered rail are far less in comparing to vehicle fleets. Having anticipated that the Project will increase public transport patronage and reduce the overall road traffic volumes through providing a more convenient and easily accessible transport option, the Project will bring improvements in air quality, noise pollution, on-road safety and the overall quality of the ambient environment. As the most of the rail line is underground, the visual quality, landscape character and land amenity can also be maintained whilst still providing convenient access to areas by the public. AECOM Asia Company Ltd 2-2 Nov 2011 Sec 2_Final Consultancy Agreement No. NEX/2213 EIA Study for Shatin to Central Link - Hung Hom to Admiralty Section MTR Corporation Limited Environmental Impact Assessment Report (Final) Scenario Without the Project 2.13 If the Project is not to be put forth, passengers will be forced to rely on road-based transport between areas along the SCL corridor, and there would be a significant increase in road traffic volumes and hence air and noise pollution as a result of the increased vehicles travelling similar distances. It is expected that the increased congestion would also be negatively impact Hong Kong’s competitive advantage. 2.14 In addition to the pivotal role of the Project in traffic congestion and environmental impacts relief, the Project will also improve accessibility to the harbour by providing a direct link between Hung Hom and Hong Kong Island. With this link, there will be increased opportunities for the public to access this area and enjoy the harbour and the promenade area of Tsim Sha Tsui East, and thus produce more possibilities for the planning and development of leisure and tourism for this area. 2.15 The construction and operation of the SCL will also create numerous new employment opportunities within Hong Kong SAR. Construction of new stations and redevelopment of current stations will also create commercial opportunities within the stations and enhanced economic development of the areas they serve. Considerations for Alternatives/Options 2.16 The following sections present the consideration of the alternatives for the following key elements of the Project: (a) Alignment; (b) Stations/platforms; (c) Ventilation buildings/ventilation shifts; (d) Entrances/exits; and (e) Train system. Alignment Criteria for Options Development 2.17 To assess the suitability of the alternative alignment options, a range of environmental, engineering, safety and general community disruption considerations were developed to help the decision making process. These considerations are presented in Table 2.1 below. Table 2.1 Considerations in Determining Preferred Alignment and Construction Method Considerations Description Engineering Factors Minimisation of construction period. Shorter construction period is preferable in Implementation Programme order to minimise the disturbance to the community. The preferred railway alignment connecting the HUH and the new EXH should be a direct connection with minimal distance to reduce construction costs, maintain operational efficiency and minimise passenger travelling time between stations. Specific consideration in relation to HUH and EXH included: Interface with Existing minimum impact on the operation