Martin Li

    martin.mouse@163.com

    SHENZHEN’S transportation commission has posted an environmental impact report for a road project that’s intended to relieve congestion in Nanshan District but has drawn concerns about pollution and noise from nearby residents.

    The Guimiao Road expansion project includes adding a tunnel and an elevated road to a 4.9-kilometer stretch of the thoroughfare, which sees heavy traffic during rush hours. The project is expected to take three to four years. A start date has not been set.

    “It often takes me at least 10 minutes to cross an intersection in rush hours. If I take a taxi, it takes a lot of time and money,” a woman surnamed Zhou told a local TV station this week.

    Zhou lives near the intersection of Guimiao Road and Nanxin Road. Guimiao Road also crosses Nanshan Boulevard and Qianhai Road.

    Air purification systems and sound barriers will be installed at both ends of the road’s new tunnel to reduce air and noise pollution, the commission said. The purification systems will use ventilators and filters to purify air flowing out of the tunnel and reduce pollutants.

    People can view the complete environmental report, which is only in Chinese, at www.sztb.gov.cn and can apply to take part in a public discussion of the project at the Guimiao area’s community management office before Nov. 26. Inquiries can be made by emailing ierechp@126.com or calling 2673-7178 ext. 8090.

    The full version of the report will stay on the website until Dec. 19.

    Air purification systems for tunnels haven’t been installed in Chinese cities before but are used in countries including Japan, South Korea and Norway, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported yesterday. Hong Kong is planning such a system at a tunnel in its Central area.

    The commission has pledged measures to reduce negative impacts on nearby residents and said the Guimiao project won’t worsen the area’s environment. Increased greenery and landscaping also is planned along the road.

    Residents opposed the project when it was announced last year, citing environmental concerns. The environmental impact assessment began in September 2012.