Government and MTRCL execute project agreement for full Northern Link Project
Hong Kong’s Northern Link (NOL) railway project has entered the construction phase after the government and MTR Corporation signed an agreement for the full HK$86.2bn project.
The NOL comprises two underground lines – the Main Line and Spur Line – which will connect with existing lines in Hong Kong and the Shenzhen Metro network.
The 10.7km Main Line will feature five stations, with interchanges at Kam Sheung Road and Kwu Tung stations connecting to the existing Tuen Ma Line and East Rail Line. Intermediate stations will be built at San Tin, Ngau Tam Mei, and Au Tau.
The 6km Spur Line will branch off from San Tin Station, and include a 1.1km section in Shenzhen. It will have intermediate stations at Chau Tau and The Loop, and a terminus at Huanggang Port in Shenzhen.
The government and MTR have introduced a series of measures over the past year to reduce project costs and accelerate railway delivery.
Key initiatives include the introduction of Hong Kong Railway Standards by the Highways Department in February 2025. The standards draw on railway practices in mainland China and internationally, supporting the adoption of innovative technologies, materials, equipment and systems.
A dedicated Railway Checking Unit has also been established to process railway building plan submissions. The government estimates this will reduce processing times by 30-50%.
Further streamlining measures have been incorporated into the Northern Metropolis Development Bill, including simplified procedures and requirements for construction noise permits.
A third major measure has been the integration of the Main Line and Spur Line into a single project. This is expected to generate cost savings and bring forward the Spur Line’s delivery by two years, enabling both sections to open together by 2034 or earlier.
According to the government, these measures, together with savings resulting from a shorter construction period, have reduced the estimated overall construction cost of the NOL by 28% compared with the original estimate.
