{"id":4237,"date":"2025-05-16T15:21:01","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T22:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/fraserrivertunnel\/?page_id=4237"},"modified":"2025-05-22T09:29:34","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T16:29:34","slug":"human-environment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/fraserrivertunnel\/human-environment\/","title":{"rendered":"Human environment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Home<\/a>\n \n Human environment\n <\/span>\n
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Human environment<\/h1>\n
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Acoustic<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Project has the potential to increase noise and vibration levels during construction, which can have adverse effects on human and animal health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anticipated effects from project activities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  • Temporary increases in noise and vibration are expected during construction<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Temporary and variable noise increases at locations close to the construction areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Temporary and localized vibration levels expected during pile driving activities; levels are expected to remain below applicable thresholds during construction<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • No noticeable noise exceedances are predicted from construction by year four<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    How we will reduce effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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    • Prioritize quieter construction methods like vibratory pile driving over use of impact hammers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Schedule noise-generating work, like pile driving, during daytime hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Implement noise mitigation measures during construction, including noise muffling or silencers on certain equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Monitor noise-generating activities and implement anti-idling rules for construction equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Establish a communication protocol to respond to community concerns about noisy or vibration-generating activities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Install noise barriers during the operations phase where needed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Future conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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      • No significant long-term noise or vibration impacts are expected after construction<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Noise levels during operations range from negligible to low depending on noise receptor locations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • No additional mitigation is required for cumulative effects from other nearby projects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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        Community health and well-being<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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        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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Anticipated effects from project activities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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        • 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<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • New temporary routes and detours may temporarily disrupt drivers and people using active transportation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Local marine and land businesses may experience minor, short-term disruptions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Construction and closure phases will increase employment and business opportunities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • 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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          How we will reduce effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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          • Use one-way navigation channels during construction to reduce impacts on marine businesses<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Manage vehicle emissions to minimize impacts to air quality<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Reduce noise by putting in place mitigation measures, such as noise walls<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Design lighting to address safety, while minimizing disturbance to wildlife and local residents<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Establish a communication protocol to respond to community concerns about noise, dust and visual landscape changes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Future conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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            • Improvements to traffic flow, walking and cycling options will shorten commutes, cut congestion and in turn, decrease stress and annoyance<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Improvements to public safety for drivers, cyclists, transit users and pedestrians<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Potential cumulative negative effects on community, health and well-being if other projects affect recreational areas like Deas Island and Iona Beach Regional Park<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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              Employment and economy<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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              The project is expected to contribute to economic output and regional economic development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Anticipated effects from project activities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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              • Positive effects on job creation, economic development, workforce training and labour income through Project spending on goods and services<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Increased business and contracting opportunities in Metro Vancouver<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Improved transportation connectivity supporting long-term business activity<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Enhanced work opportunities for under-represented groups, including Indigenous people and women<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Short-term disruptions to nearby businesses during construction due to access impacts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Temporary negative effects from changes in business activity due to temporary navigation impacts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                How we will reduce effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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                • Implement a strategy to promote equitable hiring of staff<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Establish Indigenous workforce requirements, including equitable contracting, cultural awareness training and engagement with First Nations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Support economic activity by developing plans to enhance communications and minimize disruptions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Realign Rice Mill Road and construct a temporary rail trestle to maintain access and avoid rail disruptions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  Future conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n