Newlands Cross Upgrade EIS - European Investment Bank

South Dublin County Council N7 Newlands Cross Upgrade
Environmental Impact Statement
Arup Consulting Engineers
The existing road corridor has low visual amenity value. The proposed overpass scheme will
also offer little in the way of visual amenity. However with the reduction of visual clutter
caused by traffic stopped at the junction there will be a slight improvement in the extremely
localised visual amenity quality at the junction.
The primary significant and negative visual impacts will be during the construction phase and
will be short term. However on completion of the works the visual impact generally will be
moderate and neutral with a localised moderate and negative visual impact to the rear of the
houses backing on to the north-eastern portion of the overpass. The proposed scheme will be
seen as a natural improvement to the existing road system, improving traffic flow in the area
and reducing the visual clutter, caused by traffic build up, that exists at present at the junction.
NTS8. NOISE AND VIBRATION
This section assesses the impacts of noise and vibration associated with both the construction
and operational phases of the proposed Newlands Cross junction upgrade.
This noise assessment follows the standard practice of adopting the traffic noise design goal
contained within the NRA document Guidelines for the Treatment of Noise and Vibration in
National Road Schemes.
The existing noise climate was surveyed and was found to be typical of an urban area with a
major route nearby. In addition, established prediction techniques were used to assess noise
levels resulting from both the construction and operational phases of the project.
During the construction phase of the project there will be an impact on nearby residential and
business properties due to noise emissions from construction activities. The application of a
Noise and Vibration Management Plan and the Plan for Control of Noise and Vibration will
ensure that noise impact is kept to a minimum consistent with efficient construction practices
With regard to operational noise, there are a number of locations where the proposed scheme
meets the three conditions that must be satisfied before noise mitigation measures are deemed
necessary. In these instances, mitigation measures have been specified. Once mitigation
measures have been assessed all locations comply with the adopted criterion.
A review of construction and operational vibration impacts was also carried out and it is
concluded that the proposed overpass is not expected to give rise to vibration that is either
significantly intrusive or capable of giving rise to structural or even cosmetic damage.
NTS9. AIR QUALITY
An air quality impact assessment of the proposed Newlands Cross overpass was undertaken
for both the construction and operational phases of the scheme. The assessment focused on
traffic-related pollutants nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), carbon
monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The potential impact of construction
dust was also addressed.
Information on the existing air quality in the vicinity of the site was obtained from an ambient
air monitoring survey undertaken by Bord na Móna and from Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) air quality monitoring data.
The impact of the proposed development on air quality was assessed for both the construction
and operational phases by considering the pollutant background concentrations and emissions
from traffic movement associated with the proposed scheme.
An air dispersion model was created using the Breeze ROADS software package in order to
quantify the operational impact of the proposed development on existing air quality. The
December 2007 Page NTS7