HONG KONG -- Hong Kong's railway operator the MTR Corporation Limited held an inauguration ceremony on Friday for the MTR Northern Link Project, marking the full commencement of the major railway infrastructure.

This project is set to serve as a vital artery for mass transit in the Northern Metropolis, standing out as the largest among the various railway projects currently underway by the MTR.

The Northern Link Main Line will connect the East Rail Line and Tuen Ma Line, while the Spur Line will provide direct rail access to Shenzhen's Huanggang Port, becoming Hong Kong's third direct cross-boundary railway link, the corporation said.

Following the recent signing of the Northern Link (Part 1) Project Agreement, the MTR Corporation is progressing at full speed with the construction works of the Northern Link Main Line, as well as the detailed planning and design for the Northern Link Spur Line.

Addressing the ceremony, Mable Chan, secretary for transport and logistics of the HKSAR government, said the Northern Link is not only a landmark infrastructure project in the Northern Metropolis but also a transport artery connecting the population across the area, providing vital support for development.

The Main Line of the Northern Link is set to become the backbone of public transportation for several new development zones in the Northern Metropolis, said Chan, adding that when combined with the existing East Rail Line and Tuen Ma Line, it will create a loop railway that connects the New Territories with Kowloon urban area, significantly boosting the coverage and resilience of the railway network.

Additionally, the Spur Line will link directly to the new Huanggang Port, offering a streamlined immigration clearance process that integrates Hong Kong and Shenzhen's metro systems, she added.

Rex Auyeung, chairman of the MTR Corporation, said that the Northern Metropolis is a new growth engine for Hong Kong's future economic development, and rail remains the city's efficient and reliable public transport backbone.

The Northern Link is poised to significantly improve accessibility within the Northern Metropolis while strengthening Hong Kong's cross-boundary ties with the Chinese mainland, he said, noting that the MTR Corporation will leverage innovative technologies and efficient project management to propel the project forward, aiming for the synchronized opening of both the Main Line and Spur Line by 2034 at the latest.

The construction of Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line, part of the Northern Link project, is currently progressing as planned. The station is anticipated to reach its topping-out milestone in November, with a completion target set for 2027. Once finished, Kwu Tung Station will become MTR's 100th station, serving the Kwu Tung North New Development Area.