The USAID Economic Resilience Activity (USAID ERA) has procured 20 high-tech X-ray backscatter scanners to be used at Ukraine’s western border crossing points (BCPs). USAID ERA has already delivered the first 10 scanners to the State Customs, with plans to deliver the remaining 10 by mid-September. The scanners will be distributed across 12 BCPs, and ERA is planning a training to Customs officials on the use of the scanning systems, to be held by the end of August.

These scanners are a non-intrusive and quick way to scan vehicles, eliminating the need for in-depth inspections and deterring contrabands, thereby enabling Customs officials to speed up customs formalities at the BCPs and build confidence in the inspection process. Thus, they will increase the BCPs’ capacity for processing cargo for export and greatly enhance the BCP’s day-to-day operations and the users’ positive experience. 

Cameron Berkuti, ERA BCP Director, noted, “These scanners will not only help increase border security but also improve cargo processing procedures by accelerating the export process.” 

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 Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), in cooperation with the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine, and the State Customs Service of Ukraine, is working to improve infrastructure at border crossing points (BCPs) on Ukraine’s western borders. This initiative aims to increase the BCPs’ efficiency, reduce waiting times, and create comfortable conditions for travelers and BCP staff. 

BCPs on Ukraine’s western border in the Zakarpattia region have long faced infrastructure problems, such as outdated buildings, insufficient lanes, lack of modern sanitary facilities and equipment, and limited space to handle the growing traffic. These problems led to delays and inconveniences for travelers and impeded the effective implementation of customs and border procedures. 

“We understand how vital the services provided at border crossing points are. This is why ERA is working on improving the conditions of BCPs and creating a favorable environment that enables more efficient export procedures. This is important for both travelers and BCP staff. In Zakarpattia Oblast, USAID ERA has already implemented a range of important improvements,” said ERA BCP Director Cameron Berkuti.

ERA vendors installed 381 LED lights at eight road BCPs in Zakarpattia Oblast — Dzvinkove—Lonia, Kosy—Barabash, Vylok—Tiszabecs, Malyi Berezniy—U’bla, Solotvyno—Sighetu, Chop (Tysa)—Zahony, Luzhanka—Beregsurany and Uzhhorod—Vyšné Nemecké. 

At the Uzhhorod—Vyšné Nemecké and Luzhanka—Beregsurany BCPs, ERA installed 10 modern prefabricated buildings for use as offices for border officials and restrooms with handicap access for travelers and new road signs and barricades and provided garbage bins for waste sorting. ERA contractors have repaved the road pavement, made road markings, installed LED lights, and added and expanded lanes. For example, an additional traffic flow lane at the Uzhhorod—Vysne Nemecke BCP will increase the traffic capacity by 680 vehicles per month and the turnover of agricultural goods by 14,000 tons per month. 

Vasyl Tatush, acting head of customs in Zakarpattia Oblast, says: “The new modular buildings provide comfortable conditions for our staff. There is now modern furniture with comfortable temperatures thanks to the installed air conditioners, which save us in the summer heat and significantly speed up customs procedures. Thanks to the movable road barricades, we can separate traffic lanes in a way that is convenient for the border guard to organize the BCP operation and for customs officers to perform customs formalities at the BCPs. 

He noted further: “Now, we receive a lot of positive feedback from travelers. Previously, the Slovakian side of the BCP was more modern, and travelers were not pleased when they entered the Ukrainian border, to be honest. Once the passenger traffic was relaunched at the renovated Uzhhorod—Vysne Nemecke BCP with new modular buildings, new clear road signs, and road markings, many travelers who often cross this BCP were surprised. They said that at least now they can figure out where to go and where to stop for an inspection by the border guard. We are also very pleased with the new sanitary modules. Now, there are more of them at this point, they are modern. In fact, we have only positive feedback.” 

As part of the modernization of Ukraine’s BCPs, USAID ERA aims to improve the efficiency and comfort of border crossing for both BCP staff and travelers by reducing waiting times and improving the quality of service at the border.   

Stanislav Baluyev, Deputy Head of the Department of Border Crossing Points and Infrastructure Development in Zakarpattia Oblast, highlighted: “Thanks to the cooperation with USAID ERA, we were able to implement quick solutions to improve border crossing conditions. These improvements have had a positive impact on staff performance and the speed of document processing, which in turn has increased the overall efficiency of the BCPs.  

We believe that we have done our best to improve the border crossing environment for travelers. We are grateful to our partner, USAID ERA, for making this possible in Ukraine. We look forward to further cooperation and have plans and prospects for improving the work of other BCPs. We are working, we are grateful to our partner, and we hope for fruitful cooperation in the future.”  

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).   

In cooperation with the Ukrainian Railways (UZ), the USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) is working on creating a more sustainable and efficient transportation network at railway crossing points on Ukraine’s western border.

On July 31, the USAID ERA contractor, Trading House Mashservis LLC, installed the final two sets of bogie exchange lifts (four lifts each) at the Mostyska II—Medyka rail border crossing point (BCP) in Lviv Oblast on the border with Poland. In total, they have installed five sets of a total of 20 units of the bogie exchange lifts.

Bogie exchange lifts are used to efficiently change wheel bogies to move trains and wagons from wider gauges (1520 mm) used in Ukraine to standard gauges (1435 mm) used in Europe and vice versa. The five sets of bogie lifts at Mostyska II-Medyka will potentially increase the throughput capacity to 40 wagons per day. 

Earlier this year, ERA provided Mostyska II BCP with 27 pieces of ICT equipment and one 50kW generator. Ongoing upgrades at the rail BCPs will collectively contribute to a more robust and efficient transportation network, bolstering trade and economic growth for Ukraine.  Improved working environments and facilities at rail BCPs will enable a more sustainable and efficient transportation network, boosting Ukraine’s economic growth. 

Background: Between 2023-2026, USAID, through the Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), is dedicating $115 million to support the supports the Government of Ukraine, including 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).    

On August 6, 2024, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink and representatives of USAID visited Ukraine’s Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké border crossing point (BCP) in Zakarpattia Oblast to observe how recent infrastructure improvements by USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) are enabling exports and supporting Ukraine’s economic recovery. 

During the visit, Ambassador Brink inspected rapid upgrades of the BCP and entered one of the 10 fully-furnished prefabricated structures used as rest facilities by State Customs and Border Guard officials.

ERA’s BCP Director led the tour and highlighted the civil engineering improvements, such as upgrades to the canopy, LED lighting, drainage, and signage, as well as pavement and road marking and painting of the facilities. The Ambassador was quite impressed by ERA’s rapid upgrades. 

A Government of Ukraine delegation, led by Head of Zakarpattia Oblast Military Administration Viktor Mykyta, also attended the tour and highlighted how Ukraine’s export and import cargo flows have changed during the war. Also in attendance were Head of Zakarpattia Regional Customs Oleksandr Semyrha, Head of SARDI in Zakarpattia Oblast Yurii Maksymenko, Commander of the Chop Border Detachment Vasyl Vitrovchak, Head of Zakarpattia Regional Council Roman Sarai, and Deputy Manager of the Executive Office of Zakarpattia Regional Council Taras Hayduk.

The Ambassador and officials observed the design rendering for the new passenger terminal that ERA is working on, and the officials thanked USAID and emphasized the importance of completing work on the terminal that was stalled in 2022.

The Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké BCP operates both passenger and freight traffic. It is one of the main BCPs on Ukraine’s western border, with a current monthly export volume of 60,500 tons and monthly average traffic of 4,300 trucks. It is one of nine priority BCPs receiving USAID rapid upgrades and long-term improvement support, including the planned construction of a passenger terminal renovation.

ERA’s ongoing upgrade of Uzhhorod will increase safety and efficiency, improve accessibility, and build confidence in standards and processes. GoU partners estimate that by 2026, thanks to USAID support, the BCP will experience increased throughput by an additional 680 trucks/month, and increased agricultural turnover by 14,000 tons/month. 

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 Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) continues upgrading lighting systems at border crossing points (BCPs) to improve illumination at night. Between June  – July, ERA suppliers installed a total of 342 LED lights and fixtures at the Reni and Kuchurhan rail BCPs, and the Dolynske, Vynohradivka, and Novi Troyany road BCPs, all in Odesa Oblast on Ukraine’s border with Moldova. The enhancement of lighting systems at Ukraine’s BCPs is a vital step in improving operational efficiency, safety, and security.   

The smooth functioning of border operations ensures the safe and efficient movement of export goods and of travelers. It will also help reduce maintenance costs and lower energy consumption, ensuring a more robust and resilient border infrastructure. 

Background: Between 2023-2026, USAID, through the Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), is dedicating $115 million to support the Government of Ukraine, including 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). 

On July 24, representatives of the USAID Economic Resilience Activity (USAID ERA) led by USAID ERA Deputy Chief of Party Kirsten Pfeiffer, held a meeting with the leaders of the Restoration and Infrastructure Development Service in Odesa Oblast – Andriy Donchenko, Head of the Odesa Service for Restoration, and Yevhen Yukhno, Head of the Border Crossing Department. They discussed the current situation and directions for further cooperation on developing and constructing border crossing points (BCPs) in Odesa Oblast. 

USAID ERA is actively cooperating in developing border infrastructure in Odesa Oblast, particularly by contributing to the modernization of two rail and eight road BCPs. ERA’s subcontractor, Miyamoto Ukraine, is working on predesign activities for the Tabaky – Myrne BCP. 

Furthermore, two rail BCPs have ongoing installations of generators, ICT equipment, and LED lights. As part of upcoming rapid upgrade activities for the eight road BCPs, USAID ERA plans to install new prefabricated buildings, traffic organization tools, and trash bin sets and containers. Additionally, ERA’s contractors will install LED lighting and fixtures, and undertake pavement, landscaping, curb repair, road markings, and other civil work. 

Background: Between 2023-2026, USAD, through the Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), is dedicating $115 million to support the Government of Ukraine. This 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).