Azerbaijan republic ministry of transport road transport service department

5ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

The planned rehabilitation of the Baku-Shamakhi road had already been classified a Category B project under the provisions of WB's OP 4.01, which means that no significant and irreversible impacts are expected as a result of the proposed interventions. This initial classification coincides with the results of the regional assessment, which confirms that the relevant environmental issues will mainly relate to the construction period.

While the project will also involve upgrading of the first 12 km from two to four lanes, this will be undertaken within the existing ROW and shall not impact on any critical areas such as wetlands, forests, protected areas and the like. Further, this section of the road is within a built-up area and is in the vicinity of Baku. As such, the expected project impacts will be largely experienced during the construction phase and are considered temporary. Mitigation measures to address impacts as a result of elevated levels of air contaminants (mainly dust) and noise from activities associated with the road upgrading are detailed in Section 6.1.8.

5.1Construction Impacts and Mitigation

13. Borrow Areas

The volume of borrow materials that will be used for the project is estimated at 1.17 million m³ for fill, capping layer and granular subbase. As the extraction will be most likely undertaken on the dry part of the riverbed, haphazard extraction may result to disfigurement of landscape if rehabilitation measures are not properly implemented. While the contractor will be sourcing the borrow materials under their own arrangement, the following measures to minimize impacts associated with the operation of borrow areas shall be implemented:

1. 
   Secure all required environmental approvals and carry out extraction and rehabilitation activities consistent with the requirements of MENR and/or permit conditions;
   
2. 
   Prior to operation of the borrow areas, submit to ESS and construction supervision consultant (CSC) the following:
   

• 
  a plan indicating the location of the proposed extraction site as well as rehabilitation measures to be implemented for the borrow areas and access roads upon project completion
  
• 
  dust management plan which shall include schedule for spraying on access road and details of the equipment to be used
  

3. 
   Undertake regular dust suppression on all unpaved access roads during the construction period, particularly in sections where critical receptors, such as settlements, are located;
   
4. 
   Locate stockpiles away from watercourses to avoid obstruction of flow and siltation;
   
5. 
   Provide cover on haul trucks to minimize dust emission and material spillage;
   
6. 
   Undertake repair of access roads to their original condition
   

14. Contractor’s Work Camps

The establishment of contractor’s work camps may cause adverse impacts if various aspects such as liquid and solid waste disposal, equipment maintenance, materials storage, and provision of safe drinking water supply are not addressed properly. To ensure that minimal impacts will arise from the operation of such areas, the contractor shall strictly implement the following mitigation measures:

2. 
   Submit the following plans to ESS and CSC prior to establishment of the work camps and implement provisions of such plans.
   
   • 
     Layout of the work camp and details of the proposed measures to address adverse environmental impacts resulting from its installation. The plan shall be consistent with the provisions of the construction norms BCH 8-89;
     
   • 
     Sewage management plan for provision of sanitary latrines and proper sewage collection and disposal system to prevent pollution of watercourses;
     
   • 
     Waste management plan covering provision of garbage bins, regular collection and disposal in a hygienic manner, as well as proposed disposal sites for various types of wastes (e.g., domestic waste, used tires, etc.) consistent with appropriate regulations; and
     
   • 
     Description and layout of equipment maintenance areas and lubricant and fuel storage facilities including distance from water sources and irrigation facilities. Storage facilities for fuels and chemicals will be located away from watercourses. Such facilities will be bounded and provided with impermeable lining to contain spillage and prevent soil and water contamination.
     
3. 
   Prior to establishment of the work camps, conduct consultations with local authorities to identify sources of water that will not compete with the local population.
   
4. 
   Provide safe drinking water supply for the workers. The quality of water shall comply with the national standards.
   

15. Slope Stability

A number of landslide-prone areas have been identified along the road (Section 5.1.5). Road rehabilitation in these sections will involve slope stabilization measures such as regrading (including loading the toe), drainage installation, as well as engineering and vegetation controls.

The description of the current condition of landslide-prone areas and specific recommendations to improve slope stability are as follows:

1. 
   Km 60. The existing road is running uphill around km 60 with a slope of around 7%.
   

Right side: A natural or old cut slope exists on the right side of the road. Below are the proposed slope stabilization measures:

• 
  Reshaping of slope by removing loose top material;
  
• 
  Installation of cut off/interception drain at top of slope and on benches;
  
• 
  Benching/terracing, where the height of the slope exceeds 5.0 m; and
  
• 
  Long term surface protection and stabilization by providing vegetation cover.
  

Should the design require a widening of the existing road with cutting into existing slope by 1.5 m, a semi hard clay material will be exposed to form the cut face. A cut in the semi-hard clay can be sloped with an angle of 55° (1:0.7, vertical:horizontal). Benching will be required where the height of the cut exceeds 5.0 m or when softer material is forming the upper part of the cut face. The type and consistency of the cut material have to be verified during the earthworks so that a decision on the appropriate slope inclination can be made.

Left side: The unstable area in this section is mainly on the left side which is characterized by a flat area and an embankment slope showing signs that extreme erosion has taken place. This condition is a result of surface water running off the road. The adjacent area then erodes due to creation of deep erosion channels followed by collapse of walls of these channels triggering landslides or mudslides posing a direct threat to the stability of the road. To improve slope stability in this section it is important to prevent surface water from eroding and penetrating into the soil. This can be achieved through:

• 
  Construction of lined drains on both sides of the road from the top of the hill to the next culvert, or provision of a low point in the vertical alignment towards a controlled outfall channel. Lined roadside drains should allow drainage of granular pavement layers, for example, through weep holes;
  
• 
  Construction of subsoil drains below lined road side drains; and
  
• 
  Protection of the relatively flat area on the left side of the road by placing a layer of gravel and vegetation. Water from higher areas should be intercepted and channeled downhill with a small swale-like drain.
  
1. 
   Km 81.5: The existing road in this section has been cut on a hillside and is sloping uphill towards Shamakhi.
   

Right side: A landslide has occurred at around km 81.5 at the right side of the road. The slide/erosion has already reached the road shoulder. The damage has been repaired and backfilled with gravel. The landslides on the cut slope as well as on the downhill side were triggered by water. At the top of the cut and over the slope, surface water penetrated the soil thereby destabilizing the slope. On the downhill side, surface water running off the road created erosion channels and penetrated the soil resulting in a landslide. The landslide cliff is already close to the road shoulder and may, in the near future, erode part of the road. This condition poses serious safety risks and should be secured by providing a retaining structure and through controlled channeling of surface water to prevent further erosion/sliding. The following measures are recommended to prevent further landslides and erosion on this section:

• 
  Construction of a retaining structure with a length of 15 m and a height of 3.0 m; and
  
• 
  Construction of a 2.0 m wide stone pitching (with shallow swale to channel water) in front of the full length of the retaining wall to serve as protection from erosion.
  

The proposed retaining structure will be a bored pile wall that should meet the following requirements:

• 
  Pile wall to allow drainage of soil behind wall;
  
• 
  Back anchoring can be an option, minimum depth of anchor below road surface is 1.2 m; and
  
• 
  Top of wall as parapet wall with about 1.2 m above road surface, as safety and crash barrier.
  

Proposed drainage measures for this section are as follows:

• 
  Construction of lined drains on both sides of the road from the top of the hill to the next culvert, or provision of a low point in the vertical alignment towards a controlled outfall channel. Lined roadside drains should allow drainage of granular pavement layers through weep holes;
  

Left side: Contours of smaller slides can be seen at the left side of the road. The following slope stabilization measures are proposed (i.e., if new cut is less than 1.5m deep into existing surface with soft, loose material at the surface)

• 
  Reshaping of slope by removing loose top material;
  
• 
  Installation of cut off/interception drain at top of slope and on benches;
  
• 
  Benching/terracing, where the height of the slope exceeds 5.0 m; and
  
• 
  Long term surface protection and stabilization by providing vegetation cover.
  

Should the design require a widening of the existing road with cutting into existing slope by 1.5m or more, a semi hard clay material will be exposed to form the cut face. A cut in the semi-hard clay can be sloped with an angle of 55° (1:0.7, vertical: horizontal). Benching will be required where the height of the cut exceeds 5.0 m or when softer material forms on the upper part of the cut face. The intermediate slope height for the bench should be 4.0 m in general. The type and consistency of the cut material have to be verified during the earthworks so that a decision on the appropriate slope inclination can be made.

3. 
   Km 109-110: The existing alignment of the road starts at km 109 climbing on a serpentine manner up to the hilltop at km 110.
   

Left side: On the left side between km 109+800 and km 110 a natural slope exists with little to no signs of a recent slide.

Right side: An abandoned petrol station, some portions of which have been partly covered by a landslide, can still be seen at the right side of the road at km 109. Behind and above the former petrol station, the project road reaches km 110. Approximately at km 109.7 and 109.9, the landslide cliffs are already close to the road shoulder and may, in the near future, erode part of the road. This condition poses serious safety risks and should be secured by providing a retaining structure and through controlled channeling of surface water to prevent further erosion/sliding. The following measures are recommended to prevent further landslides and erosion on this section:

• 
  Construction of a retaining structure at each of the two sections. The retaining structures will have a total length of 30 m (2 x15) m and a height of 4.0 m; and
  
• 
  Construction of a 2.0 m wide stone pitching (with shallow swale to channel water) in front of the full length of the retaining wall to serve as protection from erosion.
  

The proposed retaining structure will be a bored pile wall that should meet the following requirements:

• 
  Pile wall to allow drainage of soil behind wall;
  
• 
  Back anchoring can be an option, minimum depth of anchor below road surface is 1.2 m; and
  
• 
  Top of wall as parapet wall with about 1.2 m above road surface, as safety and crash barrier.
  

Proposed drainage measures for this section are as follows:

• 
  Construction of lined drains on both sides of the road from the top of the hill to the next culvert, or provision of a low point in the vertical alignment towards a controlled outfall channel. Lined roadside drains should allow drainage of granular pavement layers, for example, through weep holes;
  
• 
  Construction of subsoil drains below road side drains
  
• 
  Construction of cut off drain on top of cut slope.
  

Right side (hairpin bend): The area within the hairpin bend /serpentine (between km 109 and km 110) on the right side of the road should be shaped by removing loose and soft soil and terraced with small stonewalls or gabions and protected by vegetation or/and stone mattresses. The inclination of the slope is fixed by the distance and height difference between the lower and upper road.

As it is important that water is kept out of the soil, any surface water in this area should be controlled by the construction of small swale drains along the top of each terrace step or bench and channeled downhill. It should be considered following the reshaping to cover steeper sections with a gravel layer, stone pitching or sprayed concrete.

If the design requires a widening of the existing road with cutting into existing slopes the angle should be not more than 35° (1:1.5, vertical:horizontal) in soft to stiff clay and not steeper than 55° (1:0.7, vertical:horizontal) in a semi-hard clay. Benching will be required where the height of the cut exceeds 5.0 m. The intermediate slope height for the bench should be 4.0 m in general. The type and consistency of the cut material have to be verified during the earthworks so that a decision on the appropriate slope inclination can be made.

Drainage and stabilization measures proposed for this area are:

• 
  Reshaping of slope by removing loose top material;
  
• 
  Installation of cut off/interception drain at top of slope and on benches;
  
• 
  Benching/terracing, where the height of the slope exceeds 5.0 m; and
  
• 
  Long term surface protection and stabilization by providing vegetation cover.
  
1. 
   Km 132.6: Signs of a landslide/mudslide can be observed around km 132.6. The existing road surface has already been moved to the hillside.
   

At the hillside, a new slope has been cut nearly vertical into the semi-hard to hard clay material. This slope was stable during the time of field investigation. The very steep slope has the advantage that only a very small area is exposed to rainfall. Only water running from the top of the cut is considerably wetting the cut surface.

At the downhill side, the road shoulder has already been repaired using coarse gravel, obviously after a landslide or erosion has taken place.

The following measures are proposed to prevent further sliding and damage to the road:

• 
  Construction of lined drains on both sides of the road to the next culvert, or provision of a low point in the vertical alignment with lined outfall channel. Lined roadside drains should allow drainage of granular pavement layers, for example, through weep holes;
  
• 
  Construction of subsoil drains below road side drains;
  
• 
  Construction of cut off/interception drain on top of cut slope.
  
• 
  Reshaping/reprofiling to 1:3 the left embankment slope and provision of coarse gravel and/or vegetation cover; and
  
• 
  Construction of cut off drain on top of cut slope on the right side of the road, reprofiling of slope to 3:1 (vertical:horizontal) and cutting back to around 1.0 m behind back of road side drain.
  

16. Earthworks

The road rehabilitation will entail generation of cut materials at an estimated volume of 145,000 m³. Site preparation will also involve stripping and temporary storage of about 83,000 m³ of topsoil. Such materials, if not properly managed will contribute to erosion, siltation and obstruction of watercourses and drainage, and may impact on aquatic biota. Improper storage of topsoil could also lead to loss of fertility.
The provisions of SNIP 2.05.02.85 will be complied with to minimize negative impacts associated with earthworks. Specifically, topsoil shall be stripped and reused to cover areas where excess materials will be dumped. Long-term stockpiles of topsoil will be immediately provided with a grass cover and protected to prevent erosion or loss of fertility. Further, The utilization of approximately 113,000 m³ of cut materials as fill for the reconstruction of road embankments and embankment slopes will reduce the amount of excess materials (32,000 m³) that need to be disposed of. Likewise, all reclaimed asphalt pavement (estimated at 54,000 m3) will be recycled for the construction of new pavement, thus, further reducing the volume of spoils that need to disposed of. Materials that will not be used will be transported to the final disposal sites as extraction proceeds to minimize exposure to the elements that could cause erosion. The contractor shall also undertake regular spraying of water on haul roads to suppress dust emission, especially along sections that will pass close to settlements. Upon completion of the project, the contractor shall provide spoils stockpiles with grass cover.
Before site preparation activities commence, the contractor shall submit to ESS and CSC a soil management plan detailing measures to be undertaken to minimize effects of wind and water erosion on stockpiles, measures to minimize loss of fertility of top soil, timeframes, haul routes and disposal sites. The selection of disposal sites will be conducted in consultation with local authorities and landowners. To avoid soil compaction, particularly of agricultural land, the contractor shall confine operation of heavy equipment within the ROW, as much as possible.

17. Bridge Construction/Rehabilitation

The construction/rehabilitation of seven bridges and culverts along the project road may alter the local drainage pattern and may also cause impairment of the quality of surface waters as a result of increased erosion in disturbed areas.

To mitigate such impacts, the project design will incorporate installation of cofferdams, silt fence, sediment barriers or other appropriate devices to prevent migration of silt during excavation and boring operation within rivers or streams. During bridge demolition, the contractor shall avoid "dropping the bridge" into rivers/streams. This will be done by "sawing" appropriate sections of the bridge and using cranes to lift these sections or alternatively construct a platform onto which the bridge could be dropped. Dewatering and cleaning of cofferdams will be performed to prevent siltation, by pumping from cofferdams to a settling basin or a containment unit. Discharge of sediment-laden construction water (e.g., from areas containing dredged spoil) directly into surface watercourses will be forbidden. Sediment laden construction water will be discharged into settling lagoons or tanks prior to final discharge.

The contractor shall submit a method statement or plan for the execution of bridge construction works including measures that will be undertaken to address adverse environmental impacts such as erosion of river embankment and siltation of watercourses that may result from such activities. The plan shall be submitted to the CSC and ESS for approval.

18. Asphalt Plant

The establishment of a new plant shall take into consideration the following measures to ensure that there will be minimal impacts on settlements and productive land: (i) asphalt plants must be located downwind of settlements at a distance of 500 meters or more; (ii) the contractor shall secure approval from the MENR for installation and operation of asphalt plants; (iii) the contractor shall have provisions for spill and fire protection equipment and shall submit an emergency response plan (in case of spills, accidents, fires and the like) to the ESS and CSC prior to operation of the plant; and (iv) asphalt plants shall not be located close to plantations and productive land.

In road rehabilitation the most severe possible water quality impact could come from spilled bitumen or any petroleum products used to thin the bitumen. Bitumen is stored in drums which may leak or which are often punctured during handling after long periods (more than 6 months in the elements) of storage. Bitumen will not be allowed to enter either running or dry streambeds and nor can be disposed of in ditches or small waste disposal sites prepared by the contractor. Bitumen storage and mixing areas must be protected against spills and all contaminated soil must be properly handled according to requirements of the MENR. As a minimum, these areas must be contained, such that any spills can be immediately contained and cleaned up.

19. Water Pollution

Various activities (earthworks, refer to 6.1.4, bridge construction, refer to 6.1.5, asphalt plant, ref. To 6.1.6, borrow area operation refer to 6.1.1) associated with the road project may cause deterioration of surface water quality if appropriate measures are not implemented. Identification of potential impacts on water quality and the proposed mitigation measures have been presented in the previous sections.

20. Air and Noise Pollution

Impacts on air quality are expected to occur as a result of exhaust emissions from the operation of construction machinery; fugitive emissions from aggregates, concrete, and asphalt plants; and dust generated from road construction/rehabilitation works, along haul roads, exposed soils, and material stock piles. The following mitigation measures will be implemented to by the contractor to reduce emission levels: (i) maintenance of construction equipment to good standard and avoidance, as much as possible, idling of engines; (ii) banning of the use of machinery or equipment that cause excessive pollution (e.g., visible smoke); (iii) establishment of aggregate, asphalt, and concrete plants as far away as possible (minimum 500 m) from human settlements and operation of such facilities within the terms of Government pollution control guideline; and (iii) submission of a dust suppression program which provides detailed action to be taken to minimize dust generation and equipment to be used to ESS and CSC prior to construction. The contractor shall seek the approval of the concerned local authority regarding sourcing of water to avoid competition with the local population on water demands.
During construction, the operation of heavy machinery can generate high noise levels. In order to minimize impacts due to excessive noise and vibration, work will be restricted to between 0600 to 2100 hours within 500m of the settlements. In addition, a limit of 70 dBA will be set in the vicinity of the construction site and strictly followed.

21. Impacts on Flora and Fauna

Impacts to vegetation and wildlife along the project road is not expected to be significant since the rehabilitation will be undertaken with the 60 m ROW. Further, there are no protected and densely vegetated areas within the influence area of the project as well as in the proposed borrow areas. Within the ROW, there are some sections of tree and shrub plantations (with an estimated total road length of 4 km) located intermittently from km 55 to km 65.4 that are under the ownership of the State Forest Fund in Cengi. The plantations were recently established (starting 2003 to present) and majority of the trees and shrubs are less than 1 m high and can be easily transplanted. Given that much of these plantations are located some 5 m or more from the edge of the road, only minimal clearing may be necessary. Further, the current tree plantation of SFF along the road project covers a total area of almost 2300 hectares that will not be affected by the project such that the impacts of limited removal of vegetation within the ROW is considered to be very minor. As the trees/shrubs are newly planted and are generally less than 1 m high, these can be easily transferred to other suitable sites. The MENR advised that by January 2006, the RTSD should submit to them a map showing the final design of the road with reference to the tree plantations in Cengi so that the State Forest Fund can be advised regarding which trees/shrubs should be transplanted. Further, the map shall be used as a guide so that future tree plantations can be established at an appropriate distance from the road.
Removal of trees very close to the road in Maraza and Shamakhi will also be necessary and shall be replaced by the contractor through compensatory planting. Prior to removal or compensatory planting the contractor has to inform MENR which again will involve SFF and a thorough site inspection with all three parties involved and the Engineer will finally take the required decisions.
The contractor shall secure a tree cutting permit prior to removal of roadside vegetation. As discussed in Section 6.1.3, trees will also be planted in areas prone to erosion and landslide. Planting but also Cutting of trees will also not be undertaken by the contractor without the appropriate permit from the MENR.
The Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni), a globally threatened migratory avian species has a small nesting colony under some bridges over Ceyrankecmez River. To ensure that breeding sites are not affected by the project, construction works in the two bridges at km 74 and km 80 will not be undertaken from April to August as these are breeding months of such species. The contractor shall prohibit its workers from hunting wildlife.
The Important Bird Areas (IBA) located around Gargabazar and Gushgaya mountains some 8-10 km directly south of Cengi village will not be affected by the project and the potential borrow areas. The proposed material extraction site in Cengi is located 24 km north of the road.

22. Land Acquisition

As the proposed road rehabilitation will be undertaken with the existing 60 m ROW, the project is not expected to require any land acquisition, permanent resettlement, and removal of permanent structures in the project influence area. However, there might be some temporary disturbance of a few small roadside businesses that are positioned very close to the road. These are kiosks/wooden stalls used for selling local agricultural products and meat. Since such structures are temporary and can be easily lifted, the contractor shall provide assistance for physical relocation outside the construction areas.
No impacts on cultural property, e.g. graveyards and cultural monuments, adjacent to the ROW are anticipated.

23. Health and Safety

If not properly managed, work camps and construction sites pose health and safety risks. Transmission of diseases is likely under conditions with inadequate heath and safety facilities and practices. The contractor shall be required to employ an environment, health and safety manager to address such concerns and to coordinate with the MOH’s Regional Disinfection Centre. The contractor shall provide the following: (i) adequate health care facilities (including first aid facilities) within construction sites; (ii) training of all construction workers in basic sanitation and health care issues, general health and safety matters, and on the specific hazards of their work; (iii) personal protection equipment for workers, such as safety boots, helmets, gloves, protective clothing, goggles, and ear protection in accordance with SNIP III 4-80; (iv) clean drinking water to all workers; (v) adequate protection to the general public, including safety barriers and marking of hazardous areas in accordance with Safety Regulations for Construction, Rehabilitation and Maintenance, 1978; (vi) safe access across the construction site to people whose settlements and access are temporarily severed by road construction; (vii) adequate drainage throughout the camps to ensure that disease vectors such as stagnant water bodies and puddles do not form; and (ix) sanitary latrines and garbage bins in construction site, which will be periodically cleared by the contractors to prevent outbreak of diseases. Where feasible the contractor will arrange the temporary integration of waste collection from work sites into existing waste collection systems and disposal facilities of nearby communities.
The Department of Hygiene and Environmental Protection of the MOH also requires awareness campaign on the avoidance of HIV/AIDS and STD involving both the local community and the construction workers. The contractor should coordinate this with the AIDS Centre in Baku to obtain practical advice.

24. Community Impacts

In order to avoid conflicts between construction workers and nearby communities, the contractor will provide temporary worksite facilities such as health care, eating space, and praying places. The contractor shall also submit to ESS and CSC a plan (mechanism and organizational structure) detailing the means by which local people can raise grievances arising from the construction process and how these will be addressed (e.g., through dialogues, consultations, etc.). The use of local labor for employment during the construction will increase benefits to the local community and contribute to the overall acceptance of the project.
The contractor will also be responsible for replanting and maintaining trees along the corridor during the construction period. These activities shall be subcontracted by the contractor to the local populace particularly to women. The contractor shall also hire local groups to undertake cleaning of drains during this period. The ESS will provide technical support in terms of the selection of appropriate tree species and other aspects (e.g., proper timing, watering, etc.) regarding establishment of roadside vegetation. The RTSD should also look into the possibility of employing the local people for the maintenance of roadside vegetation and roadside drains upon completion of rehabilitation works.
During transport of borrow materials and spoils, damage to access or haul roads is expected. The contractor shall be responsible for the rehabilitation of such roads to their prior condition and to the satisfaction of the local authorities. The contractor will comply with contract procedures and specifications and shall ensure compliance of its subcontractors to applicable contract provision. The CSC shall monitor compliance of the contractor with contract specifications.