MTR Northern Link line phase one project agreement executed

The transportation artery connecting the northern metropolitan area and Shenzhen is expected to open in 2034 or earlier.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) and the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) executed the phase one project agreement of the MTR Northern Link (NOL) project on Tuesday.

Before signing the agreement, the Chief Executive in Council approved relative financial arrangements, with a total budget estimated to be $31.4b.

MTRCL has also acquired a set of land alongside NOL line for residential and commercial development.

The total value of the lands, assessed on a "with-railway" basis of $39.05b, will be deducted from the funding to MTRCL in implementing Part 1 of the NOL Project.

The NOL main line will become a vital transportation artery in the northern metropolitan area, while its spur line will connect Huanggang Port through co-location clearance to enter Shenzhen metro network.

“Relevant planning and design were largely completed and preliminary works have started,” said a government spokesman, “By overall planning with phased implementation, we hope to open NOL mainline and spur line together by 2034 or earlier.”