The construction of the Northern Link Main Line railway project was approved by the Executive Council on Tuesday, and is set to be completed by 2034.

The 10.7-kilometer railway, to be constructed by MTR Corp in two phases, will link Kam Sheung Road station near Yuen Long with a new station near Lok Ma Chau.

It is expected to significantly improve transport connectivity in the planned Northern Metropolis and will enable residents in Yuen Long and Tuen Mun to reach the northeastern New Territories in less time.

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“The Northern Link Main Line will become the main transportation backbone of the Northern Metropolis,” said a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government spokesperson in a statement on Tuesday.

The first phase involves the construction of Kwu Tung station — a stop between the existing Lok Ma Chau and Sheung Shui stations on the East Rail Line, and a future terminus of the Northern Link.

Kwu Tung’s construction station started in September 2023, and should be completed by 2027.

Extending from Kwu Tong, the Northern Link Main Line will eventually connect to the Tuen Ma Line’s Kam Sheung Road Station by 2034, with three intermediate stations at Au Tau, Ngau Tam Mei and San Tin — the second phase of the infrastructure.

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“When the Northern Link Main Line comes into operation, the expected travel time between Kam Sheung Road Station and Kwu Tung Station is expected to be substantially reduced from the current 60 to 80 minutes during peak hours to about 12 minutes,” the government spokesperson said.

The government emphasized that the line will serve as a key transport artery for the Northern Metropolis — as it will bring railway service to many parts of the region for the first time —and unleash development potential along its route.

Welcoming the authorization, the MTR Corp said it will continue to liaise with stakeholders concerned to push ahead with the construction.

The railway service operator added that it has commenced the advance works of the Northern Link in an orderly manner under the East Rail Line Kwu Tung Station project that is underway, in order to expedite the progress of the project, with the target for completion in 2034.

Contact the writer at stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com