Development of the Niirala border station
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The Niirala-Värtsilä international border crossing point was opened during 1995 and has an annual processing capacity of 150,000–200,000 border crossers. Nearly 900,000 people crossed the border during 2002, and traveller traffic is expected to increase by 5–10 per cent annually during the next few years, resulting in an estimated traffic volume of 1.3–1.6 million in 2010. The objective of the project was improvement of border crossing point to meet the requirements of the aforementioned traveller volume.

Main activities

• to implement a radiation control system update • to implement an expansion of the camera surveillance system, • the acquisition of Virve phones and implementation of the transfer of the axle scales and a pattern recognition system.

Achievements

The border crossing point was improved to meet the requirements set by the aforementioned increased traffic volumes. The project objectives were achieved as planned. The essential actions of the project were the equipment and device purchases, which were implemented as outlined in the project plan.