Vision of the Northern Link

The Northern Link will connect the East Rail Line and the Tuen Ma Line, providing communities along the alignment with efficient and environmentally friendly railway services, fostering the mobility of citizens within and outside the area and encouraging the exploration of the infinite possibilities of the Northwestern New Territories. As the major transport infrastructure facilitating the development of the Northern Metropolis, the Northern Link will serve the transport needs of the new development areas. It will also unleash the development potential of the land along its alignment, providing fresh impetus for the long-term development of the Northwestern New Territories and Hong Kong to keep the city moving sustainably. The Northern Link will open up exciting opportunities in living, housing, working, business and learning, driving sustainable growth for generations and advancing our concerted efforts in building a brighter future for Hong Kong.

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Development of the Northern Link

We are taking forward the Northern Link project at full steam. It includes the construction of Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line; as well as the Northern Link between Kwu Tung and Kam Sheung Road stations, with three intermediate stations at San Tin, Ngau Tam Mei and Au Tau to connect the East Rail Line and the Tuen Ma Line.

Apart from building railway facilities that are familiar to the public, such as stations, tunnels and railway tracks, we will also plan, design and construct new ancillary facilities, expand existing railway facilities as well as carry out relevant enabling works in the vicinity of the alignment in accordance with statutory requirements, operational needs and railway development plans.

Despite the mega scale and complexity of the project, we attach great importance to every detail of the project delivery and will embed sustainability into each stage to create value for our stakeholders.

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Click the below "East Rail Line - Kwu Tung Station" or "The Northern Link" buttons to see an introduction of these two projects

1

East Rail Line –
Kwu Tung Station

2

The Northern Link

Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line

Target to commence construction in 2023 for completion in 2027

Between Lok Ma Chau and Sheung Shui stations, Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line will be located at the junction of the existing Ma Tso Lung Road and Ho Sheung Heung Road, which is also the town centre of the future Kwu Tung North (KTN) New Development Area (NDA). The proposed Kwu Tung Station will be the public transport hub in the area, making it easier for existing and future residents living in the KTN NDA to take efficient, convenient and low-carbon railway services.

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The Northern Link

Target to commence construction in 2025 for completion in 2034

Connecting the East Rail Line and the Tuen Ma Line, the proposed Northern Link will be built between Kwu Tung and Kam Sheung Road stations, with three intermediate stations at San Tin, Ngau Tam Mei and Au Tau. The proposed Northern Link will form a railway loop in the Northern New Territories, enhancing the transport connectivity between the east and west of the New Territories. It will also unleash the development potential of the land along its alignment, fostering the long-term development of Hong Kong.

Following preliminary assessment and consideration of various factors while actively responding to the opinions of different stakeholders, we are currently carrying out further technical studies and design works based on the sustainable underground railway alignment scheme option. Compared to the above-ground scheme option, running underground could provide more flexibility for future communities in developing above-ground land along the alignment while posing comparatively less and short-run impacts on the nearby ecology.

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Key Information

  • The Northern Link between Kwu Tung and Kam Sheung Road stations is

    about 10.7km long

    with three intermediate stations at San Tin, Ngau Tam Mei and Au Tau.

  • Journey time is approximately

    3 minutes

    between Kwu Tung and Sheung Shui stations.

    (Road journey currently takes about 15 minutes during peak hours.)

  • Journey time is approximately

    12 minutes

    between Kam Sheung Road and Kwu Tung stations.

    (Road journey currently takes about 60 to 80 minutes during peak hours.)

Key Benefits

The Northern Link will connect the East Rail Line and the Tuen Ma Line, forming a railway loop and shortening journey times in the Northern New Territories. The Northern Link will also provide areas that rely on road transport with fast and convenient railway services, offering residents in the New Territories and passengers more route alternatives for travelling across districts. It will help divert railway passenger flow in the Northeastern New Territories and alleviate the existing road traffic pressure. In addition, the Northern Link will enhance cross-boundary population mobility, facilitating residents, particularly those living in the west of the New Territories, to use the cross-boundary train services on the East Rail Line to travel between Mainland China and Hong Kong.

  • The Northern Link between Kwu Tung and Kam Sheung Road stations is

    about 10.7km long

    with three intermediate stations at San Tin, Ngau Tam Mei and Au Tau.

  • Journey time is approximately

    3 minutes

    between Kwu Tung and Sheung Shui stations.

    (Road journey currently takes about 15 minutes during peak hours.)

  • Journey time is approximately

    12 minutes

    between Kam Sheung Road and Kwu Tung stations.

    (Road journey currently takes about 60 to 80 minutes during peak hours.)

Powered by electricity, MTR trains are a means of low-carbon and environmentally friendly mass public transportation. On top of this, we will embed sustainability into every stage of the Northern Link project, including planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance. We will conduct an environmental impact assessment and incorporate sustainable features in the design and operation of the new stations, thereby supporting Hong Kong’s transition towards a carbon-neutral city. We will also utilise innovative technologies to deliver the project, for example, adopting Building Information Modelling (BIM), Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) and Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) to minimise operations on-site, enhancing the efficiency and quality of railway construction.

As the major transport infrastructure facilitating the development of the Northern Metropolis, the Northern Link supports the unleashing of the development potential of the land along its alignment. It stimulates housing supply and encourages business, leisure, tourism and other activities in the area, thereby driving local employment and economic development. Moreover, the developments enabled by the Northern Link will help provide residents with better supporting measures and facilities in education, medical care, shopping and social services, meeting the future communities’ needs for a better place to live and work.

Latest News

05 - 09 - 2023

MTR Signs Project Agreement with the Government for Kwu Tung Station on East Rail Line

The MTR Corporation today (5 September 2023) signed Project Agreements with the HKSAR Government for the financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance of Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line ("KTU(EAL)") and the Tuen Mun South Extension ("TME"). Following the commencement of construction for the Tung Chung Line Extension project in May this year, the KTU(EAL) and TME projects are the next railway projects that the Corporation will be starting construction in full swing.

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02 - 07 - 2023

Strengthening ties with communities along the alignment

The Northern Link project team is committed to maintaining close communications with local stakeholders, hoping to build a new railway to meet society’s future needs.

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19 - 06 - 2023

New Railways Go Beyond Boundaries - Northern Link Concept Video & 3D virtual tours of future stations!

Imagine this, what will happen if the "East" and "West" of the city get closer? Watch the latest Northern Link Concept Video to explore the possibilities the Northern Link will bring!

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11 - 11 - 2022

MTR Welcomes the Authorisation of the Railway Scheme for Kwu Tung Station

The MTR Corporation welcomes the Government’s authorisation of the addition of Kwu Tung Station under the Railways Ordinance (Cap. 519).

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10 - 09 - 2022

Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival with the Northern Link – Riddles Series

Tying in with the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Northern Link (NOL) project team has taken part in various Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations at communities along the alignment. To further build up the festive fun, we tailor-made a special set of 10 lantern riddles related to NOL. While experienced in the tradition of cracking riddles, residents from local communities also discovered more fun facts and background information about the railway project.

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06 - 09 - 2022

Sharing the joy of Mid-Autumn Festival with communities along the Northern Link

Leading up to the time celebrating the year’s bountiful harvest, the Northern Link (NOL) project team visited different communities along the NOL alignment to share and enjoy the festive season.

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03 - 06 - 2022

The Northern Link project team celebrates the Dragon Boat Festival with the Kwu Tung Community

The Northern Link project team participated in the Dragon Boat Festival event organised by the Kwu Tung Village Committee Office earlier to distribute anti-epidemic service bags and festive foods to the residents to share warmth and care with the Kwu Tung community.

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14 - 04 - 2022

Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line Gazetted

The MTR Corporation welcomes the Government‘s publication of the railway scheme for the Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line in the Gazette under the Railways Ordinance (Cap.519). The Corporation will fully support and fulfil the relevant statutory procedures to commence construction as scheduled next year.

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21 - 03 - 2022

Share Warmth during COVID and Celebrate the Kwun Yam Festival with the Kwu Tung Community

The MTR Corporation supported the Kwun Yam Festival Cum Care For The Elderly event organised by the Kwu Tung Village Committee Office earlier, delivering gift bags to the elderly in the Kwu Tung community. Each gift bag contains protective gear, daily necessities and a leaflet on the Northern Link project, facilitating the community’s further understanding of the project.

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15 - 02 - 2022

Follow #ConnectBeyondMobility to watch the latest videos now

Which areas will the Northern Link connect? Where exactly is Kwu Tung Station located? Watch the latest videos of the Northern Link project to learn more. We publish posts about the Northern Link project from time to time on social media platforms. Follow the hashtag #ConnectBeyondMobility on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date with the latest news of the project!

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26 - 01 - 2022

The first round of publicity for the Northern Link project is launched!

In addition to the one-stop website for the Northern Link project, we have put up giant posters at Sheung Shui and Fanling stations and started distributing leaflets and posters to the community. We hope all these will make it easier and more convenient for you to learn more about the project and raise suggestions.

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18 - 09 - 2021

Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with the Kwu Tung Community

To strengthen the connection with the Kwu Tung community, the MTR Corporation earlier supported a festive activity "Celebrating reunion and joy in Mid-Autumn" organised by the Kwu Tung Village Committee Office.

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15 - 07 - 2021

Planning and design of the Northern Link commences

The MTR Corporation announces that Arup AECOM Joint Venture has been awarded a design consultancy to kick start the planning and design for the Northern Link. The scope of the consultancy includes development of the scheme into an engineering design, preparation of the construction programme, gazette plans and project cost estimate, as well as liaison with government departments and other stakeholders. Other works, including ground investigation and surveys of existing utilities, are also commenced.

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22 - 04 - 2021

Planning and design of the Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line commences

The MTR Corporation announces that Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited has been awarded a design consultancy to carry out the planning and design of the Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line. The scope of the consultancy includes development of the scheme into an engineering design, preparation of the construction programme, gazette plans and project cost estimate, as well as liaison with government departments and other stakeholders. Other works, including ground investigation and surveys of existing utilities, were commenced.

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About the Northern Link