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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
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Road projects are generally intended to improve the
economic and social welfare of people. Increased road capacity
and improved pavements can reduce travel times and lower the
costs of vehicle use, while increasing access to markets, jobs,
education, and health services and reducing transport costs. |
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For all the positive aspects of road projects, they may also
have significant negative impacts on nearby communities and the
natural environment. If appropriate mitigation measures are not
adopted.
Potential Environmental Impacts of Road Projects
Direct impacts of road and highway projects result from
construction, maintenance, and traffic use. The most significant
construction-related impacts are those related to clearing,
grading or roadbed construction: loss of vegetative cover,
wildlife, habitats foreclosure of other land uses; modification
of natural drainage patterns; changes in groundwater elevation;
landslides, erosion, leading stream and lake sedimentation;
degradation of vistas or destruction of cultural sites; and
interference with movements of wildlife, livestock, and local
residents. Many of these impacts can arise not only at the
construction site but also at quarries, borrow pits and
materials storage areas serving the project. In addition,
adverse environmental and socio-cultural impacts can occur in
both construction and maintenance projects as a result of air
and soil pollution from asphalt plants, dust, noise from
construction equipment and blasting; use of pesticides; fuel and
oil spills; trash and garbage; and, on large projects, the
presence of a non-resident labour force. and impact upon
traditional life styles including Aids transmission.
Direct road and highway use impacts may also include: increased
demand for motor fuels; accidents with and/or displacement of
non-motorized methods of transport; increased air pollution,
noise, roadside litter; injury or death to animals and people
attempting to cross roadways; health risk and environmental
damage from accidents involving hazardous materials in transit;
and water pollution from spills or accumulated contaminants on
road surfaces.
See LAMATA's
manual on environmental assessment
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