Northern Link (MTR)

The Northern Link is a proposed rapid transit line of the MTR[1] system of Hong Kong which would connect the West Rail 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 Lok Ma Chau and Kwu Tung, and would be constructed either as a direct shuttle or with intermediate stations.

Northern Link 北環綫
Overview
System	MTR
Locale	Districts: Yuen Long
Termini	Kam Sheung Road Lok Ma Chau / Kwu Tung
Stations	2 to 6
Technical
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in)
Route map Tuen Ma line to Wu Kai Sha Kam Sheung Road      West Rail line to Tuen Mun Au Tau Ngau Tam Mei San Tin Kwu Tung      East Rail line to Hung Hom Lok Ma Chau      Hong Kong Mainland China Futian Checkpoint Shenzhen Metro Line 4 to Qinghu

Other benefits for constructing this project are that it would significantly cut journey times for certain trips (for example from Yuen Long to Fanling) and significantly reduce costs for these trips, and also relieve the large number of passengers using the East Rail Line by diverting some passengers to the West Rail Line.

According to the Railway Development Strategy 2014, a shuttle service between Kam Sheung Road Station and Kwu Tung Station spanning 10.7 km (6.6 mi) is expected to begin construction in 2018 and be inaugurated in 2023.[3] As of 2020, construction has yet to begin, while "detailed planning and design for the Northern Link would begin soon".[4]

References

1. http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/tenders/NEX1057.html
2. Legislative Council - Northern Link and Regional Express February 2006
3. Railway Development Strategy 2014, Transport and Housing Bureau, Hong Kong Government
4. "Economy revival fears over major delays to Hong Kong rail projects". South China Morning Post. 13 June 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020.