On December 3, in Lutsk, USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) representatives led by Cameron Berkuti, ERA Border Crossing Point (BCP) Director, met with Ivan Rudnytskyi, the Head of the Volyn Oblast Military Administration, Oleksandr Trokhanenko, Volyn Deputy Governor, regional heads of the Agency for Restoration, representatives of the State Customs and Border Guard, Forestry, and the Department of Land Management, Use and Protection in Ukraine. The discussion included significant advancements in USAID ERA cross-border infrastructure projects. ERA presented a summary of extensive completed upgrades at the existing Yahodyn Road BCP, equipment provided and planned for the existing BCP, and the development of a new Yahodyn terminal. However, the meeting focused on several critical obstacles to completing and moving the design phase to the construction phase. 

During the meeting, the USAID ERA team presented the initial design for the new terminal at Yahodyn BCP, including a rendering of the future bridge profile, which is part of a technical Economic Study (TEJ) by ERA to enhance the efficiency of trade with Poland.  

The USAID ERA team outlined four critical actions required by February 2025 to advance the new terminal project into the internal and external review process, bidding, and construction phases. These include securing approvals from the Border Guard and State Customs to finalize the General Plan for the terminal, completing the land transfer process, clearing designated tree areas to prepare the site for construction, and resolving administrative and logistical challenges to sustain project momentum. 

Governor Ivan Rudnytskyi underscored the importance of the Yahodyn BCP terminal for the region’s economic growth and international trade. He expressed his full commitment to supporting the project, instructing the formation of a working group headed by his deputy to move the above action steps forward.  

Cameron Berkuti highlighted the urgency of completing immediate priorities: “The Yahodyn terminal will play a transformative role in improving border infrastructure and strengthening trade ties between Ukraine and Poland. With the support of the Volyn Administration, we are confident in the progress ahead.” 

The meeting exemplifies USAID ERA’s commitment to enhancing Ukraine’s border infrastructure and economic resilience. The Yahodyn BCP construction project remains a cornerstone of efforts to modernize and streamline cross-border trade for Ukraine’s economic future. 

Background: Between 2023-2026, USAID, through the Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), is dedicating $115 million to support the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (SARDI), Ukrainian Railways (UZ), and State Customs Services, to upgrade border crossing points (BCPs) to improve trade and export volumes.   

In 2023, the USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) began work to improve the infrastructure of Ukrainian border crossing points (BCPs) to enhance efficiency, accessibility, safety, and the logistical potential for freight exports. The USAID ERA identified road and rail border crossing points on Ukraine’s borders with Moldova, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania as priorities for modernization. 

From April to June 2024, at the request of the USAID ERA, Info Sapiens company conducted a survey of over 14,200 travelers in passenger and freight vehicles, and buses at 10 border crossing points to assess satisfaction levels – from infrastructure to border crossing wait times. 

Almost all respondents who noticed changes saw improvements in the infrastructure at the Yahodyn/Dorohusk (Poland) and Luzhanka/Beregsurány (Hungary) BCPs, specifically highlighting better road surfaces and the condition of modular facilities. Respondents at the Yahodyn/Dorohusk (Poland) BCP also noted improvements in the condition of sanitary facilities. 

Among the significant improvements observed were the condition of road surfaces, lighting at the BCPs, traffic organization (barriers, road signs, markings), waste sorting areas, cargo weighing procedures, and customs inspections. 

86% of respondents considered the BCP they crossed as convenient. Only 14% of respondents reported encountering infrastructure-related issues during the border crossing. 

The USAID ERA continues to collaborate with the Government of Ukraine, particularly with the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, the State Agency for Reconstruction and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine, the State Customs Service, and JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia” to further improve the operation of border crossing points and expedite border crossings to facilitate export logistics.