In cooperation with the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine and the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine, the USAID Economic Resilience Activity (USAID ERA) to upgrade Ukraine’s western border crossing points.
“We believe that modern, efficient, and safe border infrastructure and transparent procedures will reduce export costs and increase capacity to export grain and other vital agro-commodities, which is crucial for Ukraine’s economic recovery and advancement with EU integration” noted Cameron Berkuti, ERA Border Crossing Point (BCP) Director.
USAID ERA has prioritized the modernization of 42 of Ukraine’s road and rail crossing points on the borders with Moldova, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania to improve efficiency, accessibility, safety, and logistics capacity for cargo exports grouped into three priority categories based on the urgency of upgrades and vital equipment needed, and major infrastructure improvements to follow.
In the first year of ERA activities, we have already commenced the urgent upgrades at 22 of these border crossing points.
“ERA’s contractors have repaired pavements, storm drains, and canopies, painted barriers and fences, replaced traffic signs, striping, and markings, and improved energy-efficient lighting at the first 4 priority road BCPs”, said Oleksandr Burdun, Sr. Manager for BCP Upgrades.
Artmetal Ukraine manufactured and installed 33 modern prefabricated buildings at the first four priority road BCPs – Yahodun–Dorohusk, Porubne–Siret, Uzhhorod–Vyšné Nemecké, and Luzhanka– Beregsurány. These are all fully equipped and provide suitable working conditions for the State Customs and Border Guard officials and comfortable accessibility-compliant restroom facilities for travelers.
Ukrainian company VATRA Corporation manufactured the LED lights that were installed at these BCPs. The high-quality products provide illumination, boosting safety and operational efficiency.
Each of these four BCPs has also been equipped with two sets of mobile vehicle scales. These are versatile and can be quickly moved to where they’re most needed and can weigh various vehicles and cargoes.
Additionally, USAID ERA subcontractor Miyamoto International Ukraine has completed the pre-design work for the reconstruction of the Yahodyn–Dorohusk BCP. The predesign work consisted of completing a feasibility study (FS)/Technical economic Justification (TEJ) and pre-design work for the new cargo terminal at the BCP.
The new facility will enable the implementation of an enhanced system of modern control processes based on paperless technologies and automated traffic management that will increase throughput capacity by 10-15 percent.
Also, Miyamoto is finalizing pre-design and updating available old design documentation for unfinished cargo terminals at Uzhhorod–Vyšné Nemecké, and for new cargo terminals at Diakivtsi–Racovăţ and Krasnoilsk–Vikovu de Sus BCPs. Miyamoto also initiated pre-design field surveys on the Tabaky–Myrne BCP in May 2024 and started development of TEJ at Bila Tserkva–Sighetu-Marmatiei in June 2024.
Background: Between 2023-2026, USAID, 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).