Gov't approves 2nd part of MTR Northern Link project

The government has approved the financial arrangement of the second part of the MTR's Northern Link Project, which consists of a total of 86.2 billion dollars, around 28 percent lower than the original estimate.

This as the project's transportation services are expected to begin by 2034 or earlier.

The MTR's Northern Link Project will offer an essential mode of public transport at the Northern Metropolis, connecting the East Rail Line's Kwu Tung Station with Tuen Ma Line's Kam Sheung Road Station.

This as the MTR already began the first phase of construction last year consisting of Kwu Tung, Au Tau and Kam Sheung Road Stations, with an estimated cost of 31.4 billion dollars.

With authorities having just approved the second part of the Northern Link's construction, this part of the project will cover the main line's Ngau Tam Mei and San Tin Stations, as well as the branch line.

Passengers travelling from San Tin Station to the Huanggang Port via the branch line will pass by Chau Tau and The Loop Stations, arriving at their destination in just 11 minutes.

The MTR expects the main and branch lines will both enter into service by 2034 or before.

According to the Hong Kong Railway Standards, authorities will implement mainland railway standards as well as resources in the project's construction.

A railroad approval team will also be set up to speed up the authorisation of relevant construction blueprints.

Under such arrangements, the time it takes to handle such procedures drastically decreased by 30 to 50 percent, with the total cost for the project also dropping by 28 percent to 86.2 billion dollars.