Northern Link (MTR)
| Company type | Planned commuter rail and rapid transit route |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong , Hong Kong |
Area served | Western New Territories, Hong Kong |
| Products | Rail transport services |
The Northern Link is a planned commuter rail and rapid transit route within Hong Kong's MTR network, designed to connect the Tuen Ma line with the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line of the East Rail line. This line will provide a direct connection to the border crossing into mainland China, primarily serving travelers from the western region of the New Territories. Extending from Kam Sheung Road station to Kwu Tung station, it includes three stations along the way.
This initiative seeks to reduce travel durations—for example, decreasing the trip from Yuen Long station to Fanling station from 20 stops to just 5—while lowering fare expenses and alleviating overcrowding on the East Rail line by rerouting passengers onto the Tuen Ma line.
History
According to the Railway Development Strategy 2014, a shuttle service spanning approximately between Kam Sheung Road and Kwu Tung stations was scheduled for construction commencement in 2018, with an anticipated opening in 2023.
The first stage is estimated to cost HK$62 billion (based on December 2015 figures), averaging around HK$500 million per kilometer.
Phases
The Northern Link (NOL) project is divided into four distinct phases.
Phase 1
Phase 1 focuses on building Kwu Tung station, which will initially operate as part of the East Rail line and later serve the Northern Link following Phase 2’s completion. Originally partially constructed by KCR Corporation during the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line development, Kwu Tung station received construction approval in 2022. Work began in September 2023, with completion expected by 2027.
While initially projected at HK$3.5 billion in 2015, costs increased to HK$5.9 billion as of July 2023.
Phase 2
Phase 2 entails constructing a 10.7 km main line connecting Kam Sheung Road station and Kwu Tung station, featuring three new stations: Au Tau, Ngau Tam Mei, and San Tin. Enhancements will also be made at Kam Sheung Road station to accommodate additional tracks and platforms. Planning started in 2021, with construction planned between 2025 and 2034.
The budget estimate stands at HK$58.5 billion based on 2015 pricing.
Northern Link Spur Line
Stretching 5.8 km, the Northern Link Spur Line begins at San Tin station and links San Tin Technopole and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park before terminating at Huanggang Port in Shenzhen. Planning and design activities are scheduled to begin in 2024.
Northern Link Eastern Extension
The eastern extension covers a distance of 9.5 km, running eastward from Kwu Tung through Lo Wu South and Man Kam To to Ping Che. The segment between Heung Yuen Wai and Fanling station will instead become part of the new Northeast New Territories Line, spanning approximately 8.5 km.
Stations
| Station Name | Connections | Opening date | District | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Chinese | ||||
| Phase 1 (Under construction) | |||||
| Kwu Tung | 古洞 | 2027 | North | ||
| Phase 2 | |||||
| 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 | ||||
| Eastern Extension | |||||
| Lo Wu South | 羅湖南 | TBA | North | ||
| Man Kam To | 文錦渡 |
| |||
| Hung Lung Hang | zh-HK恐龍坑}}" | — | |||
| "Ping Che" | zh-HK坪輋}}" | ||||
| white | |||||
| "San Tin" | zh-HK新田}}" | —" | "2034" | [[North District, Hong Kong | North]]" |
| "Chau Tau" | zh-HK洲頭}}" | TBA" | |||
| "Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park" | zh-HK港深創科園}}" | ||||
| "Huanggang Port" | zh-HK皇崗口岸}}" | "
| |||
Land accumulation
In July 2021, the Liber Research Community disclosed that property developers started accumulating land parcels adjacent to the Northern Link corridor, securing a minimum of 80 hectares in the vicinity.