Human environment
Acoustic
The Project has the potential to increase noise and vibration levels during construction, which can have adverse effects on human and animal health.
Anticipated effects from project activities
- Temporary increases in noise and vibration are expected during construction
- Temporary and variable noise increases at locations close to the construction areas
- Temporary and localized vibration levels expected during pile driving activities; levels are expected to remain below applicable thresholds during construction
- No noticeable noise exceedances are predicted from construction by year four
How we will reduce effects
- Prioritize quieter construction methods like vibratory pile driving over use of impact hammers
- Schedule noise-generating work, like pile driving, during daytime hours
- Implement noise mitigation measures during construction, including noise muffling or silencers on certain equipment
- Monitor noise-generating activities and implement anti-idling rules for construction equipment
- Establish a communication protocol to respond to community concerns about noisy or vibration-generating activities
- Install noise barriers during the operations phase where needed
Future conditions
- No significant long-term noise or vibration impacts are expected after construction
- Noise levels during operations range from negligible to low depending on noise receptor locations
- No additional mitigation is required for cumulative effects from other nearby projects
Community health and well-being
Construction activities may temporarily affect the health and well-being of nearby communities due to dust and noise from construction and impacts to the use of recreational and Indigenous traditional lands.
Anticipated effects from project activities
- Temporary effects to noise and dust and changes to visual landscape during construction are expected to impact users of Deas Island Regional Park and residents living near construction areas
- New temporary routes and detours may temporarily disrupt drivers and people using active transportation
- Local marine and land businesses may experience minor, short-term disruptions
- Construction and closure phases will increase employment and business opportunities
- Additional construction vehicles, road closures and detours on roads in Delta and Richmond from other nearby projects could cause more congestion if they coincide with the tunnel construction
How we will reduce effects
- Use one-way navigation channels during construction to reduce impacts on marine businesses
- Manage vehicle emissions to minimize impacts to air quality
- Reduce noise by putting in place mitigation measures, such as noise walls
- Design lighting to address safety, while minimizing disturbance to wildlife and local residents
- Establish a communication protocol to respond to community concerns about noise, dust and visual landscape changes
Future conditions
- Improvements to traffic flow, walking and cycling options will shorten commutes, cut congestion and in turn, decrease stress and annoyance
- Improvements to public safety for drivers, cyclists, transit users and pedestrians
- Potential cumulative negative effects on community, health and well-being if other projects affect recreational areas like Deas Island and Iona Beach Regional Park
Employment and economy
The project is expected to contribute to economic output and regional economic development.
Anticipated effects from project activities
- Positive effects on job creation, economic development, workforce training and labour income through Project spending on goods and services
- Increased business and contracting opportunities in Metro Vancouver
- Improved transportation connectivity supporting long-term business activity
- Enhanced work opportunities for under-represented groups, including Indigenous people and women
- Short-term disruptions to nearby businesses during construction due to access impacts
- Temporary negative effects from changes in business activity due to temporary navigation impacts
How we will reduce effects
- Implement a strategy to promote equitable hiring of staff
- Establish Indigenous workforce requirements, including equitable contracting, cultural awareness training and engagement with First Nations
- Support economic activity by developing plans to enhance communications and minimize disruptions
- Realign Rice Mill Road and construct a temporary rail trestle to maintain access and avoid rail disruptions
Future conditions
- Positive long-term economic effects: boost economic output, tax revenues and employment
- Strengthened infrastructure and traffic flow supports economic development and health
- No anticipated negative residual effects on employment and the economy
Human health
Project activities may result in changes to air, sediment, surface water, soil and food quality, which may affect human health.
Anticipated effects from project activities
- Negligible to low potential human health risks
- Changes to air quality during construction may affect human health due to a low, temporary exposure to particulate matter and moderate, temporary exposure to diesel particulate matter
How we will reduce effects
- Implement a diesel particulate matter monitoring plan to track levels against thresholds set by Health Canada air quality criteria for diesel particulate matter
- Additional mitigations in Air quality and Wildlife and wildlife habitat will help reduce effects
Future conditions
- No long-term health impacts are expected after construction is complete
- No additional mitigations or follow-up programs are proposed
Infrastructure, services and transportation
The project may affect existing infrastructure, as well as regional services to support the project workforce.
Anticipated effects from project activities
- Anticipated changes to existing flood protection infrastructure in Richmond
- Potential effect on landfill capacity and waste transfer stations due to disposal of excavated materials
- No changes anticipated to service capacity for emergency services or housing demand during construction
How we will reduce effects
- Implement temporary flood protection infrastructure throughout construction
- Separate hazardous and non-hazardous construction waste and materials
- Develop a traffic management plan to mitigate congestion and disruptions during construction
- Maintain bike access via the George Massey Tunnel shuttle throughout construction
- Develop alternative routes during temporary closures of Millennium Trail
Future conditions
- Improved vehicle capacity, reduced congestion and enhanced travel times
- Improved transit speed and reliability because of dedicated bus lane and reduced congestion
- No long-term negative effects on rail transportation, emergency services or utilities
- Cumulative effects on traffic may occur from nearby construction projects like BC Ferries fleet maintenance, BC Hydro tunnel transmission work or other nearby municipal road projects
Visual quality
Project construction may temporarily affect the visual appeal and visual experience of the landscape.
Anticipated effects from project activities
- Temporary visual changes during construction from using cranes, vessel activity and clearing trees on Deas Island
- There may be temporary and localized changes in nighttime light from transporting materials and equipment to the site at night
- Permanent visual changes will occur during operations from new infrastructure like the Deas Slough Bridge, technical buildings and highway alignment
How we will reduce effects
- Design measures to reduce reflection and glare and integrate with the natural surroundings
- Restore natural habitats and reintroduce colours, forms and textures associated with the natural environment
- Design lighting to keep the construction site safe while reducing changes to natural light levels
Future conditions
- Long-term visual changes will be minor and light levels will remain similar to the existing highway alignment
- Vegetation, wetlands and riparian forests will be restored to help integrate the project and recover visual conditions
