In January 2025, USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) completed a planned rapid upgrade at the Rava-Ruska/Hrebenne road border crossing point (BCP) in Lviv Oblast, on Ukraine’s border with Poland. 

USAID ERA contractors undertook site and miscellaneous improvements, including strengthening the road base through cold recycling, improving road and parking lot infrastructure and surface, repairing and painting metal structures and inspection bridges, restoring the stormwater drainage system, repairing fence and site electrical system, and applying road markings. ERA also installed eight traffic arms, 150 road signs, and 176 LED lights, and provided 10 garbage containers, 18 recycling bins, and 28 road barriers to improve traffic control, safety, and security, and boost safety and cleanliness. ERA also provided two commodity scales and two handheld backscatter scanners to enhance cargo handling procedures at the BCP. Furthermore, ERA will deliver 38 pieces of ICT equipment and three permanent modular prefabricated buildings to enhance the operations of border officials. 

In addition to rapid upgrade improvements, Rava-Ruska is also under a design contract for major infrastructure improvements, including rehabilitation of buildings, facilities, and structures, for an estimated construction cost of $2.04 million. The monthly average export at Rava-Ruska/Hrebenne BCP has been about 66,099 tons from May 2024 to November 2024.   

Background:
Between 2023 and 2026, USAID is allocating $115 million through the Economic Resilience Activity to support the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure, Ukrainian Railways (UZ), and the State Customs Service. This funding aims to modernize border crossings, enhance trade, and increase export volumes. 

As part of its mission to strengthen Ukraine’s economic resilience, USAID, through its Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), delivered high-capacity generators to key rail border crossing points (BCPs). This critical intervention supports Ukraine’s power systems amid Russia’s ongoing attacks on vital infrastructure, ensuring the uninterrupted movement of goods and passengers between Ukraine and its European neighbors. 

ERA delivered and installed 10 generators in total, ranging from 6-kW to 50-kW total, at the Chop (Zakarpattia Oblast, Hungary border), Mostyska II and Yahodyn (Volyn Oblast, Poland border), Vadul-Siret (Chernivtsi Oblast, Romania border), Reni (Odesa Oblast, Romania border), and Kuchurkhan (Odesa Oblast, Moldova border) rail BCPs. The average monthly cargo export through these six BCPs has been 1.12 million tons from December 2023 to November 2024.

Cameron Berkuti, ERA Border Crossing Point (BCP) Director, emphasized: “These generators provide reliable backup power for critical infrastructure systems, such as lighting, heating, signaling, and IT networks. Most importantly, they ensure the timely processing of documents, minimizing the risk of train delays, and keeping rail operations efficient and uninterrupted.” 

Ukrainian Railways (UZ) upholds high transportation standards. Trains rarely experience delays and consistently arrive at their destinations on time. Maintaining this level of service is essential, especially during times of crisis, and a stable power supply to BCPs plays a significant role in preserving this quality of operations. 

By ensuring round-the-clock reliability during extended power outages, these generators enable seamless customs processing, uninterrupted operations, and timely train movements. This helps maintain Ukraine’s reputation as a reliable transit partner for both cargo and passengers. 

This initiative supports Ukraine’s international trade by keeping key export and import routes open, contributes to economic stability for local and regional markets, and upholds UZ’s high operational standards. With support from ERA, Ukraine’s border infrastructure continues to withstand ongoing challenges, ensuring the continuity of economic activities, protecting livelihoods, and fostering regional development and long-term prosperity. 

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).

Winter in Ukraine brings not only biting cold and heavy snow but also logistical hurdles that significantly impact border operations. Sub-zero temperatures and icy conditions create a daunting environment for travelers and discomfort at work for customs officials and border guards, causing a general slowdown of operations.   

By the end of 2023, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), had commenced delivery of critical infrastructure upgrades and equipment that were aimed not only at modernizing Ukraine’s road and rail border crossing points with European Union countries, but also to support border staff to better manage challenges posed by the harsh winter conditions.  

To address these challenges, USAID ERA has procured, installed, and fully equipped 62 permanent modular buildings at six key road border crossing points (BCPs). Furthermore, an additional 121 modular permanent units are in the process of procurement or installation at 21 more BCPs on Ukraine’s western and southern borders. Of the 183 prefabricated modular structures, 174 are fitted for customs and passport control services and constructed and insulated to withstand extreme weather while providing modern, comfortable facilities for border personnel. Each building is equipped with air conditioning and heaters, ensuring optimal working conditions during both freezing winters and hot summers. The inclusion of ergonomic office furniture further supports the health and efficiency of customs officials, passport controllers, and border units, fostering productivity in all seasons. The benefits of the modular facilities also extend to travelers. The rest of the nine prefabs are fitted for use as restrooms, equipped for high durability and comfort, creating a more accessible environment for disabled persons navigating these critical transit points, often made tougher by the cold winter conditions.  

“The installation of these modern prefabricated facilities represents a significant step forward for our border operations,” said a State Customs Service personnel member at the Chop (Tysa) BCP. “These buildings provide our personnel with comfortable, climate-controlled conditions year-round, regardless of the extreme weather we often face. Now, the workspaces enable us to perform our duties efficiently and effectively, directly contributing to trade and travelers’ safety and seamless flow. These upgrades foster an environment where operations naturally become smoother and more effective.” 

The unique advantages of prefab technology make it an ideal solution for Ukraine’s infrastructure needs. Constructed off-site in controlled environments, these buildings are quality-controlled, rapidly deployable, and highly adaptable to specific requirements, easily fitting in small areas. This minimizes on-site construction time and ensures consistent quality, even in challenging weather conditions. Prefab structures are designed with durability and insulation in mind, enabling them to maintain stable internal temperatures during Ukraine’s winters, which is essential for both personnel comfort and operational efficiency. 

USAID ERA’s efforts underscore the critical role of advanced technology in fostering economic growth and regional connectivity. By improving Ukraine’s border facilities, the modernization not only boosts trade but also strengthens ties with neighboring EU countries, paving the way for greater economic integration and long-term development. 

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).   

USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) has completed the pre-qualification of construction companies, paving the way for the engagement of competent contractors to undertake the major construction of key border crossing points on Ukraine’s western borders. ERA issued a request for Expressions of Interest on August 8, 2024, to invite over 100 construction companies with experience and capacity in infrastructure, buildings, road, rail, utility, landscaping, electrical, and mechanical work throughout Ukraine to complete a pre-qualification package for upcoming major construction projects at these BCPs. Out of 24 submitted proposals, USAID ERA selected 16 companies qualified to carry out the required construction work, with 12 capable of undertaking major construction. 

This pre-qualification procedure allowed construction vendors to demonstrate that they are suitably qualified to perform this vital construction work. The purpose of pre-qualifying construction firms is to ensure that USAID ERA engages only those subcontractors with proven expertise and reliability. This process was critical to identifying vendors with the technical, financial, and ethical qualifications necessary to execute complex infrastructure projects. By pre-qualifying vendors, ERA aimed to mitigate risks and streamline the procurement process during the bidding phases by not requesting documents already on file and verified. The pre-qualified bidders will be placed on ERA’s shortlist of construction vendors to be solicited to bid on anticipated projects. Pre-qualification will allow ERA to move much more quickly through the bidding process and proceed to construction upon completing the BCP design phases. As a result of the evaluation, ERA pre-qualified 16 companies, out of which 12 qualified for major construction. 

ERA has identified 12 target BCPs for complex construction activities. These are the Yahodyn, Uzhhorod, Tabaky, Krasnoilsk, Diakivtsi, Mohyliv-Podilskyi, Chop (Tysa), Starokozache, Mamalyha, Rava-Ruska, and Rososhany road BCPs, as well as key railway BCPs. Construction at these sites will include new terminal construction, renovation, and reconstruction of new or existing cargo or passenger terminals, and major equipment installation. They also include constructing or reconstructing service and processing buildings, and landscaping, pavement, painting; sewage, utility, and lighting work. ERA launched the first major construction project tender on December 20, 2024 – the Mostyska II joint inspection container zone. This is a key rail BCP identified to receive “medium-lift” or less complex construction activities. 

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). 

USAID, through its Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), has delivered the first two of five mobile X-ray scanners procured to enhance customs operations at key border crossing points (BCPs) along Ukraine’s borders with Slovakia, Romania and Moldova. These scanners will reduce inspection times, accelerate vehicle processing, and strengthen security, demonstrating USAID’s commitment to modernizing Ukraine’s border infrastructure and improving trade flow efficiency.  

By December 25, ERA’s vendor delivered two scanners to Ukraine, which were received at the Porubne-Siret (Romania) and Uzhhorod-Vysne Nemecke (Slovakia) road BCPs after customs clearance. In January 2025, the third scanner will be delivered to Orlivka-Isaccea (Romania) ferry BCP, providing a direct trade route to southern Europe and Turkey. Training for the relevant border personnel on commissioning, operation, and maintenance of all three scanners is scheduled for January 2025. The delivery of the final two scanners is scheduled for April 2025, to the Reni-Giurgiulești (Moldova) and Dyakove-Halmeu (Romania) road BCPs, further bolstering border management and trade facilitation. 

The state-of-the-art mobile X-ray scanners are used to inspect vehicles and cargo through employing high-energy X-rays, enabling customs officials to detect concealed items, threats, or illegal goods in real time without the need for the unpacking of cargo. These non-intrusive inspections prevent smuggling, ensure regulatory compliance, and streamline border operations. The scanners’ mobility allows flexible deployment, enhancing security and improving efficiency across various BCPs. Overall, USAID ERA’s improvements to Ukraine’s western border BCPs will accelerate trade flows, reduce delays, and directly benefit businesses while fostering economic growth and stability for local communities. 

Background: Between 2023 and 2026, USAID is allocating $115 million through ERA to support the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure, Ukrainian Railways (UZ), and the State Customs Service. This funding will further modernize border crossings, enhance trade efficiency, and boost export volumes, contributing to Ukraine’s long-term economic resilience.