Northern Link (MTR) explained

Northern Link
Chinese: 北環綫
Other Name:NOL
Status:
  • Phase 1: Approved, construction started in September 29 2023
  • Phase 2: Construction expected to begin 2027
System:MTR
Owner:Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation
Operator:MTR Corporation
Locale:Districts

Yuen Long

Stations:5
Planopen:
  • Phase 1:
  • Phase 2:
Map State:expanded

The Northern Link is a proposed 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, and would be constructed either as a direct shuttle or with intermediate stations.

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 to 5), 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.

According to the Railway Development Strategy 2014, a shuttle service between Kam Sheung Road station and Kwu Tung station spanning 10.7km (06.6miles) is 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 two phases.

Phase 1

See also: Kwu Tung station. 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 is scheduled to commence in 2023 with completion due in 2027.[6]

It is expected to cost HK$3.5 billion in December 2015 prices.[7] [8]

Phase 2

Phase 2 consists of the building of the Northern Link main line tracks 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.[9]

It is expected to cost HK$58.5 billion in December 2015 prices.[10] [11]

Land hoarding

In July 2021, Liber Research Community found that developers had begun to hoard land alongside the Northern Link line, buying at least 80 hectares of land near the line.[12]

Stations

Station NameConnectionsOpening dateDistrict
EnglishChinese
Kwu TungChinese: 古洞2027North
Kam Sheung RoadChinese: 錦上路20 December 2003Yuen Long
Au TauChinese: 凹頭2034
Ngau Tam MeiChinese: 牛潭尾
San TinChinese: 新田
Lo Wu SouthChinese: 羅湖南N/ANorth
Man Kam ToChinese: 文錦渡
Lo Shue LingChinese: 老鼠嶺
Heung Yuen WaiChinese: 香園圍
Ta Kwu LingChinese: 打鼓嶺
Ping CheChinese: 坪輋
Queen's HillChinese: 皇后山
On Lok TsuenChinese: 安樂村
FanlingChinese: 粉嶺1 October 1910
San TinChinese: 新田2034North
Chau TauChinese: 洲頭N/A
HK-SZ Innovation and Technology ParkChinese: 港深創科園
HuanggangChinese: 皇崗

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MTR > Home.
  2. http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr05-06/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdpcb1-etwb_t_cr_1_16_581_99-e.pdf Legislative Council - Northern Link and Regional Express
  3. http://www.thb.gov.hk/eng/psp/publications/transport/publications/rds2014.pdf Railway Development Strategy 2014
  4. 2023 Interim Results. 2023-08-10. MTR Corporation. 12. 2023-08-23.
  5. News: MTR Northern Link project gets go-ahead. The Standard. Shum. Michael. Cheung. Jane. 2020-12-17.
  6. Web site: Annual Report 2021: Excellence in Motion. MTR Corporation. 25. A design consultant was appointed for Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line in April 2021, with construction targeted to commence in 2023 for completion in 2027.. 2022-03-10. 2022-08-09.
  7. 2023 Interim Results. 2023-08-10. MTR Corporation. 12. 2023-08-23.
  8. News: MTR Northern Link project gets go-ahead. The Standard. Shum. Michael. Cheung. Jane. 2020-12-17.
  9. Web site: Hong Kong's planned Northern Link makes progress. 17 December 2020.
  10. 2023 Interim Results. 2023-08-10. MTR Corporation. 12. 2023-08-23.
  11. News: MTR Northern Link project gets go-ahead. The Standard. Shum. Michael. Cheung. Jane. 2020-12-17.
  12. Web site: lrcresearcher. 【解剖「囤地線」】以鐵路為骨幹 撐起了誰的未來? #永續港鐵霸權 #7月專研. 2021-08-18. Liber Research Community. zh-HK.