DESCRIPTION
The Project has a road rehabilitation and reconstruction work component, and a consultancy service component to provide construction supervision. The detailed engineering design of the road work component has been completed. The scope will include:
(1) Constructing a 3-level traffic interchange and related pedestrian under-passes at 82nd roundabout;
(2) Building a 3-level traffic interchange at Avicenna roundabout;
(3) Constructing two 2-level traffic interchanges at key local road crossings;
(4) Widening the Project road to dual 4 lanes;
(5) Improving adjacent intersecting roads;
(6) Reconstructing pavements;
(7) Constructing several pedestrian underpasses.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL INFORMATION
The Bank has decided to use EBRD’s Environmental and Social Policy (2008) (EBRD ESP) since (i) it is consistent with the Bank’s Articles of Agreement and materially consistent with the provisions of the Bank’s Environmental and Social Policy and relevant Environmental and Social Standards; and (ii) the monitoring procedures that EBRD has in place to ascertain compliance with the EBRD ESP are appropriate for the Project. Under the EBRD ESP, the Project has been assigned Category B, as the potential impacts are expected to be site specific, readily identified and addressed through mitigation measures that were defined in an Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP). Due to design changes, the Project has been subject to a series of environmental and social studies, including a most recently updated ESAP issued in March 2016.
The Project will require temporarily displacing 9 business units and potentially two informal businesses/market stalls due to the need to acquire land for construction at a trolley-bus turning bay. The existing Livelihood Restoration Framework of the ESAP will address the need to provide relocation assistance, and potentially economic assistance for the displaced businesses, together with arrangements for monitoring the implementation of the agreed requirements.
The West Gate and Avicenna Monument and adjacent structures are to be demolished. Although these are not protected monuments, this change has been discussed with the Ministry of Culture and arrangements will be agreed for the re-siting of the Avicenna Monument at a new location. The ESAP includes a requirement for the relocation of the monument in line with national requirements.
The Project design also includes provisions primarily to improve road safety, including the introduction of additional pedestrian underpasses. Due to the location of this road section, EBRD will seek opportunities to provide technical support and road safety awareness to the local community.
The updated ESAP includes mitigation and monitoring measures that will address the identified potential environmental and social impacts, and its implementation will be monitored by the supervision consultant. The updated ESAP was disclosed by MOT and EBRD on May 6, 2016, and on AIIB’s website on May 9, 2016.
