Northern Link (MTR)
Proposed Hong Kong MTR railway line
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The Northern Link is a proposed commuter rail / rapid transit line of the MTR[1] system of Hong Kong which would connect the Tuen Ma line and the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line of the East Rail line. The link would also serve as a connection to the border checkpoint to mainland China for passengers to and from the western New Territories.[2] The Northern Link would start at Kam Sheung Road and end at Kwu Tung, with 3 intermediate stations.
- Phase 1: Under construction
- Phase 2: Under construction
- Spur Line: Under construction
| Northern Link 北環綫 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status |
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| Owner | Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale | Districts: Yuen Long, North, Futian | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termini | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Connecting lines |
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| Stations | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | Rapid transit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| System | MTR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operator | MTR Corporation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depot | Ngau Tam Mei Depot | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| History | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Planned opening |
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| Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line length | 16.9 km (10.5 mi) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Northern Link | |||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 北環綫 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 北环线 | ||||||||||
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Other benefits for constructing this project are significantly shorter journey times for certain trips (for example, the Yuen Long to Fanling route would be reduced in length from 20 stations, running through Kowloon to 5 stations), significantly reducing costs for these trips, as well as relieving the large number of passengers using the East Rail line by diverting some passengers to the Tuen Ma line.
History
According to the Railway Development Strategy 2014, a shuttle service between Kam Sheung Road station and Kwu Tung station spanning 10.7 km (6.6 mi) was expected to begin construction in 2018 and be inaugurated in 2023.[3]
The initial line is expected to cost HK$62 billion in December 2015 prices, with an average of HK$500 million/km.[4][5]
Phases
The Northern Link (NOL) project is expected to consist of four phases.
Phase 1
Phase 1 consists of the construction and completion of Kwu Tung station that will initially serve the East Rail line after its opening, then later the Northern Link after the completion of Phase 2. It had been partially built by KCR Corporation during the construction of the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line. Construction of Kwu Tung station was approved by the government in 2022, started construction in September 29, 2023[6], with completion due in 2027.[7]
The station was expected to cost HK$3.5 billion as of December 2015.[8][5] As of July 2023, the estimated cost had risen to HK$5.9 billion.[9]
Phase 2
Phase 2 consists of the building of the 10.7 km main line from Kam Sheung Road station to Kwu Tung station. It also includes the construction of 3 new stations (Au Tau, Ngau Tam Mei and San Tin) along with the expansion of Kam Sheung Road station to accommodate the new tracks and platforms. Planning and designing began in 2021. Construction of the mainline is planned to begin in 2025 and be completed in 2034.[10]
It is expected to cost HK$58.5 billion in December 2015 prices.[11][5]
Northern Link Spur Line
The 5.8 km Northern Link Spur Line starts from San Tin station and connects to San Tin Technopole, Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (station name is not confirmed) before terminating at the Huanggang Port in Shenzhen. In 2025, MTR has confirmed construction of both phase 2 and spur line to be completed together. Aiming to open no later than 2034.[12]
Northern Link Eastern Extension
The 9.5 km eastern extension extends eastward from Kwu Tung to Ping Che via Lo Wu South and Man Kam To.[13] Originally planned as part of the extension, the section from Heung Yuen Wai to Fanling station will form the new 8.5 km Northeast New Territories Line.[14]
Stations
| Livery | Station Name | Interchange; Adjacent transportation |
Opening | District | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Chinese | ||||
| Phase 1 (Under construction) | |||||
| Kwu Tung | 古洞 | 2027 | North | ||
| Phase 2 (Under construction) | |||||
| Kam Sheung Road | 錦上路 | 20 December 2003 | Yuen Long | ||
| Au Tau | 凹頭 | — | 2034 | ||
| Ngau Tam Mei | 牛潭尾 | ||||
| San Tin | 新田 | ||||
| Northern Link Spur Line (Under construction) | |||||
| San Tin | 新田 | — | 2034 | Yuen Long | |
| Chau Tau | 洲頭 | ||||
| The Loop | 河套 | ||||
| Huanggang Port | 皇崗口岸 |
|
Futian | ||
| Eastern Extension | |||||
| Lo Wu South | 羅湖南 | TBA | North | ||
| Man Kam To | 文錦渡 | ||||
| Hung Lung Hang | 恐龍坑 | — | |||
| Ping Che | 坪輋 | ||||
