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.