Repair work at the Parikkala border crossing point
The project will improve traffic safety on the road leading to the border crossing point and improve identification systems. The project, scheduled to be completed in 2022, is part of the South-East Finland - Russia CBC.
Background to the project
The Parikkala border control station (Parikkala-Syväoro) is a temporary border crossing point located in Parikkala on the eastern border of Finland. The station is currently not an international border crossing point, and can, therefore, only be used by Finnish and Russian citizens who have obtained prior authorisation. The border crossing point has been used particularly for the transport of goods, such as timber.
On the Russian side, the corresponding crossing point is located in Syväoro, Elisenvaara (Сювяоро in Russian). In 2019, a total of 24,000 border crossings were recorded at the Parikkala border crossing point.
Project costs and funding
The South-East Finland - Russia CBC 2014-2020 is a cross-border cooperation programme aimed at promoting the attractiveness of the region. The programme is funded by the European Union, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Finland. The EU Commission has approved funding for a total of six projects aimed at improving the security and flow of traffic at border crossing points between Finland and Russia.
The ENI CBC (European Neighbourhood Instrument, Cross Border Cooperation) grant funding agreement relating to the development of the Parikkala border crossing point was signed between the Managing Authority of the South-East Finland - Russia CBC programme and FTIA on 1 May 2019.
The budget for the development project is EUR 4.91 million, of which the grant covers EUR 3.93 million.
The project will be implemented within three years of the signing of the funding agreement.
Objectives of the project
The development project for the Parikkala border crossing point will improve traffic safety by constructing a new intersection from Highway 6 to the road leading to the crossing point. At the same time, the bridge over the railway near the new intersection will be upgraded.
Other measures at the border crossing point include the renewal of the Customs’ vehicle identification system and radiation detection equipment for the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. The project does not directly affect the status or capacity of the temporary border crossing point.
The partners in the project are the FTIA, Customs, the ELY Centre for South-East Finland and the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority.
Progress of project
TThe grant funding agreement between the Managing Authority of the South-East Finland - Russia CBC programme and FTIA was signed on 1 May 2019.
