The Uzhhorod-Vyšné Nemecké border crossing point (BCP) in the Zakarpattia region on Ukraine’s western border with Slovakia, has long struggled with infrastructure challenges, including outdated buildings, insufficient traffic lanes, lack of modern sanitary facilities, and limited space to handle increasing traffic. These issues have led to delays, inconveniences for travelers, and hindered the efficient execution of customs and border control procedures.
As part of the initiative to modernize BCPs in Ukraine, USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (USAID ERA) aims to make border crossing faster and more comfortable for both the BCP workers and users, such as vehicle drivers transporting goods for export and passengers, by reducing wait times and improving service quality at the border.
In June 2024, USAID ERA subcontractor Miyamoto Ukraine completed the feasibility study for the reconstruction of the existing passenger terminal and building a new one at the Uzhhorod-Vyšné Nemecké BCP.
Detailed project documentation will be completed later this year in collaboration with the Agency for Restoration, the State Customs Service, and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. Miyamoto has conducted surveys of all existing facilities and calculated the engineering capacity requirements.
Reconstruction and construction work are scheduled to begin in Spring 2025.
Natalia Chukanova, Chief Engineer, Miyamoto International Ukraine noted, “The Uzhhorod BCP is located in an area with a slight elevation difference due to the mountainous relief. This makes it quite non-standard, and it requires additional design features to protect the area from waterlogging. Our specialists use the latest technologies to improve the level of comfort and efficiency of customs and border control, as well as shorten the border crossing procedure. We are making significant efforts to accelerate the implementation of this project at this BCP and plan to complete all design work with the appropriate agreements by the end of this year.”
The infrastructure upgrade at the Uzhhorod-Vyšné Nemecké BCP will improve border crossing conditions for passengers and help eliminate passenger vehicle and bus congestion at the cargo terminal. The BCP serves both passenger and cargo traffic and is one of the main BCP’s on Ukraine’s western border, with a current monthly export volume of 60,500 tons and a monthly cargo flow of 4,300 trucks (as of June 2024).
The BCP’s modernization being undertaken by USAID ERA will enhance the BCP’s capacity, improve the efficiency of control procedures, and ensure comfortable conditions at the site. According to estimates by Ukrainian Government partners, by 2026, USAID ERA support will increase the BCP’s capacity by an additional 680 trucks per month, and the agricultural goods turnover will grow by 14,000 tons per month.
The project involves the reconstruction of an unfinished building, specifically a service facility for customs and border control services. As part of the reconstruction, all necessary rooms and facilities will be equipped to ensure the continuous operation of the checkpoint, taking into account the norms and standards for barrier-free access for people with limited mobility. The project also includes strengthening the structures in the service area, partial or complete replacement of structures, completion of construction, and bringing the facilities up to modern energy efficiency standards, as well as updating the landscaping.
To improve traffic flow at the BCP, one lane for passenger buses and four lanes for passenger cars will be created for entry and exit from Ukraine. The project also includes the construction of a pedestrian corridor, installation of modular buildings for border guards and customs officers in both directions, canopies for inspecting passenger cars, a bay for in-depth inspection of vehicles and passenger buses, and a public restroom. The implementation of modern technologies will allow for the automation and standardization of processes at all stages of border crossing.
“The Modernization Project of the Uzhhorod-Vysne Nemecke checkpoint is an important step towards improving the infrastructure on Ukraine’s western border. This project will significantly increase the throughput capacity, which will help both reduce queues at the border and increase cargo turnover. Comfortable and safe conditions will be created for passengers and employees of the BCP that meet modern standards and norms. We are pleased to thank our partners for their systematic support of the Agency for Restoration,” said Roman Komendant, Acting Head of the Agency for Restoration.
Between 2023 and 2026, USAID, through ERA, is dedicating $115 million to support the Government of Ukraine. This support includes the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (Ministry for Restoration), the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (Agency for Restoration), the State Customs Service, and Ukrainian Railways (UZ) to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s border crossing points (BCPs).