Following the signing of the Northern Link (NOL) (Part 2) project agreement with the Hong Kong government, MTR Corporation will press ahead with the design and construction of both the Main Line and Spur Line, aiming to commission the entire project by 2034. Planning for the surrounding communities will also commence and, alongside the railways under construction, form an integral part of the Northern Metropolis development.

The Northern Link is a key infrastructure initiative supporting Hong Kong’s future strategic development. It connects the Tuen Ma Line and East Rail Line, linking the Northern Metropolis with the rest of Hong Kong, and its Spur Line extends railway services to Huanggang Port, improving connectivity between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

To expedite delivery, MTR and the Hong Kong government agreed to adopt a phased approach to the project agreements in 2025. The signing of the NOL (Part 1) last year enabled planning, design and certain construction works to proceed. By treating the Main Line and Spur Line as an integrated programme, this approach also maximises engineering synergies and enhances overall project efficiency.

Since the signing of the Part 1 project agreement, MTR has already commenced advance works and brought forward detailed planning and design for the Spur Line. The railway scheme for the Hong Kong section of the Spur Line was approved in September this year. Construction is also progressing on the Main Line, with major excavation works for the first tunnel boring machine (TBM) launching shaft now underway. The electrical substation that will support the TBMs is at an advanced stage of completion.

The NOL (Part 2) project agreement covers the works for the remaining Main Line, commercial arrangements and the construction of the Spur Line, as well as the future operation, maintenance and asset management arrangements for both lines upon commissioning. Through an integrated planning and delivery approach, the Spur Line, originally targeted for completion in 2036, is now scheduled to open together with the Main Line no later than 2034.

In the Northern Metropolis, MTR is also building a new Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line as part of the Northern Link portfolio, which is expected to become operational in 2027. Works at Hung Shui Kiu Station on the Tuen Ma Line are progressing smoothly, with completion scheduled for 2030.

The Northern Link Main Line comprises a new 10.7-km railway connecting Kwu Tung and Kam Sheung Road, the two terminal and interchange stations linking the East Rail Line and the Tuen Ma Line respectively, together with intermediate stations at San Tin, Ngau Tam Mei and Au Tau. Meanwhile, the Spur Line includes a new 6.2-km railway running from San Tin Station on the Main Line, via intermediate stations at Chau Tau and The Loop, to the terminal station at the new Huanggang Port in Shenzhen.

All new railway sections and stations on the two lines will be constructed underground, adding to the complexity of the projects. A shared depot serving both lines will also be built at Ngau Tam Mei.

All images: MTR Corporation