Hong Kong’s railway operator MTR Corporation has signed the Northern Link (Part 1) project agreement with the Hong Kong Government for the financing and construction of parts of the Northern Link Main Line, while also commencing the detailed design and planning of the Northern Link Spur Line.

As the mass transportation backbone for the Northern Metropolis, the Main Line of the Northern Link is critical to the connectivity of the area and the Spur Line will provide direct connectivity between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, extending to the Huanggang Port Area. Both lines are targeted for commissioning no later than 2034.

“MTR is pushing ahead with the Northern Link projects, including proceeding with the Kwu Tung Station of East Rail Line in full speed and embarking on the preliminary works of the Main Line. The signing of the project agreement would enable us to speed up the works for both lines as a whole so as to achieve the commissioning no later than 2034,” said Dr Jacob Kam, CEO of MTR Corporation.

The Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line under the Northern Link, along with the Main and Spur lines, will form a new railway network serving the Northern Metropolis and connecting to the mainland at Huanggang. The Main Line comprises two terminal and interchange stations, Kwu Tung and Kam Sheung Road stations that connect the East Rail Line and Tuen Ma Line respectively, and three intermediate stations at San Tin, Ngau Tam Mei and Au Tau. The Spur Line connects by the interchange San Tin Station to the Huanggang Port in Shenzhen via Chau Tau and The Loop stations.

According to MTR, by combining the Main Line and Spur Line, it can leverage the synergy between the two lines and maximise project optimisation – one of such areas being the depot in Ngau Tam Mei, which will be shared upon completion by both the Main and Spur lines. Given the statutory processes of environmental permit approval and scheme authorisation for the Main Line have already completed and its planning and design is in an advanced stage, while the statutory processes for the Spur Line is still in early stages, MTR adopts another innovative approach to proceed with constructions of the project in two parts.

With the signing and implementation of the (Part 1) project agreement, MTR will take forward works that are authorised and close to completion in design, including the construction of Kwu Tung, Au Tau and Kam Sheung Road stations, as well as the tunnel sections from Kwu Tung to San Tin and Au Tau to Kam Sheung Road, along with related railway facilities of the Northern Link Main Line.

The construction works of the (Part 1) project agreement will be funded by financial contributions from the ‘Rail plus Property’ development model, said MTR. The corporation will actively engage in discussions with the government regarding the financing and construction of the remaining works for the Main Line and Spur Line, as well as the operation and maintenance of both lines, with the aim of finalising the signing of the (Part 2) project agreement.

Since the signing of the project agreement for Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line in September 2023, MTR has been committed to advancing the Northern Link project. Construction of the station’s main structure is nearing completion, and the transformation of the tunnel section into a platform is progressing rapidly. Additionally, one of the major advance works for the Main Line will commence this year, involving the construction of a tunnel boring machine (TBM) launching shaft in preparation for the subsequent tunnel boring works.

All images: MTR Corporation