L3063-GEO: Sustainable Urban Transport Investment Program ENGINEERING, PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION OF THE MODERNIZATION OF TBILISI-RUSTAVI SECTION (SECTION 2) OF THE TBILISI-RED BRIDGE (AZERBAIJANI BORDER) ROAD UPDATED IEE FOR SECTION 2 December 14, 2015 (Rev. 8) Loan2879-GEO: Engineering,Procurement,Construction Management and Supervision of the Modernization of Tbilisi-Rustavi Section (Section 2) of the Tbilisi-Red bridge (Azerbaijani Border) Road __________________________________________________________________________ Joint Venture of Table of Content 1. INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................1 1.1 Background ...................................................................................................................................1 1.2 Objectives......................................................................................................................................1 1.3 Methodology for IEE ....................................................................................................................1 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT................................................................................................4 2.1 Overview.......................................................................................................................................4 2.2 Selection of alignment for section 2..............................................................................................4 2.3 Type and Category of the Project..................................................................................................6 2.4 Need for Project ............................................................................................................................6 2.5 Location.........................................................................................................................................7 2.6 Proposed Schedule for Implementation ......................................................................................10 2.7 Design Criteria and Parameters...................................................................................................10 2.8 Road Pavement Structure............................................................................................................12 2.9 Engineering structures.................................................................................................................13 2.10 Utility Relocation ........................................................................................................................19 2.11 Road Safety .................................................................................................................................19 2.12 Construction works .....................................................................................................................19 2.13 Equipment Use during Construction...........................................................................................21 2.14 A complex of auxiliary building objects .....................................................................................22 2.15 Quarries.......................................................................................................................................22 2.16 Traffic Management During Construction..................................................................................25 3. GOVERNMENT Policy LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK..........................28 3.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................28 3.2 Georgian Legislation Related to Environmental Permitting .......................................................29 3.3 ADB Environmental and Social Safeguards Requirements (SPS 2009).....................................34 3.4 EIA Requirements under Georgian and ADB Procedures ..........................................................35 3.5 Environmental Screening for Current Project.............................................................................36 3.6 Administrative Framework .........................................................................................................36 3.7 International Treaties and Conventions.......................................................................................39 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT .................................................................................41 4.1 Physical Resources in Project Area.............................................................................................41 4.1.1. Climate ......................................................................................................................................41 4.1.2 Air Quality................................................................................................................................44 4.1.3. Background noise and Vibration...............................................................................................47 4.1.4. Background radiation ................................................................................................................50 4.1.5. Information about the surface watercourses and ground pollution ...........................................50 4.1.6. Topography and relief ...............................................................................................................53 4.1.7 Geology and tectonics of the area ..............................................................................................55 4.1.8 Assessment of the Design Corridor Engineering-Geological Conditions by pickets (kilometer points)..................................................................................................................................................60 4.1.9 Water Resources.........................................................................................................................64 4.2 Ecological Resources – Landscape and Flora ............................................................................67 4.3. Ecological Receptors - Fauna...........................................................................................................78 4.3.1 General description of fauna ......................................................................................................78 4.3.2 Description of Biotopes in Project Area.....................................................................................79 4.3.3 Fauna Within the Design Road Corridor....................................................................................81 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Updated IEE for Section 2 page ii Loan2879-GEO: Engineering,Procurement,Construction Management and Supervision of the Modernization of Tbilisi-Rustavi Section (Section 2) of the Tbilisi-Red bridge (Azerbaijani Border) Road __________________________________________________________________________ 5. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.............................................................................................84 5.1 Demography................................................................................................................................84 5.2 Socio-economic characteristics...................................................................................................86 5.3. Expected social impact of the Project ..............................................................................................93 5.3.1. General social impact of the Project..........................................................................................93 5.3.2. Construction-related social impacts ....................................................................................94 5.4. Land Acquisition and Resettlement ............................................................................................94 5.5. Socio-Cultural Environment .......................................................................................................97 5.5.1 Historical Context .....................................................................................................................97 5.5.2 Cultural Heritage in Project Area.............................................................................................99 6. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES................................................................................................100 7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS...................................................................................................103 7.1. Summary of Activities and Anticipated Impacts ......................................................................103 7.2. Specific Environmental Impacts ...............................................................................................107 7.2.1 Air Emissions ....................................................................................................................107 7.2.2 Noise Factor Related to Construction and Operation of the Road ....................................115 7.2.3 Vibration Impacts...................................................................................................................136 Preliminary Studies and Conclusions (year 2013 – 2014) ................................................................136 Detailed