on December 21, from 13:30, traffic starts at the Nyzhankovychi – Malkhovychi checkpoint with Poland
20 December 2024 08:49
on December 21, the Nyzhankovychi – Malkhovychi automobile checkpoint on the Ukrainian-Polish border is to start operating. This was reported by the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Announcing the opening of the checkpoint earlier this week, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said that pedestrian traffic would begin after the construction of the relevant infrastructure. He also announced the approval of the relevant agreement between the governments of Ukraine and Poland and expressed his belief that the opening of the new checkpoint would reduce the burden on the existing ones and expand the opportunities for Ukrainian exports.
What is known about the construction of this checkpoint
Construction of the Nyzhankovychi-Malkhovychi checkpoint began in September 2021. It is located in the Sambir district – kilometer zero of the T14-18 road Nyzhankovychi – Sambir, Drohobych – Stryi.
Initially, the checkpoint was designed to move passenger vehicles and trucks up to 3.5 tons. on February 3, 2023, the checkpoint started operating as a special temporary crossing point for empty trucks. Temporary infrastructure was put in place and large trucks with a maximum weight of 7.5 tons were allowed to pass, but only those traveling without cargo.
“The Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine proposed to the Polish side to agree on the movement of trucks up to 7.5 tons through this checkpoint,” said Iryna Butynets, head of the Department of International Technical Assistance and International Cooperation at the Lviv Regional State Administration, in March this year.
To prepare for the opening of the Nyzhankovychi – Malhowice checkpoint, customs formalities and the passage of vehicles in both directions at the Nyzhankovychi border crossing point were suspended on October 1, 2024.
The international automobile checkpoint “Nyzhankovychi – Malhowice” provides for joint control of Ukrainian and Polish customs officers and border guards. The cost of its construction is 109 million zlotys, which is paid by the Polish side.
The checkpoint will continue to be developed
A pedestrian crossing is planned to be built at the Nyzhankovychi – Malkhovychi International Automobile Checkpoint, which requires the construction of appropriate infrastructure.
The Lviv Sea Port Authority also submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine to supplement the Agreement on the establishment of the Nyzhankovychi – Malkhovychi International Automobile Checkpoint with a railway connection. The tracks on the Sambir-Khyriv and State Border-Staryava-Khyriv-Nyzhankovychi-State Border sections have already been re-equipped for international passenger or freight rail transportation. The Podkarpackie Voivodeship sent a similar request to the Polish Ministry of Transport. It is proposed to carry out control procedures at the Nyzhankovychi – Malkhovychi railway crossing point jointly with the Polish regulatory authorities on the principle of the Smilnytsia crossing point.
Transport links between the two countries are to be expanded
The head of the Polish Council for Cooperation with Ukraine, Pawel Kowal , notes that additional trade opportunities will be opened not only through Nyzhankovychi, but also through Korczowa. He is talking about the Korczowa-Krakovets checkpoint.
“We also plan to develop a railway hub. This is a task for the nearest future,” added Pavlo Koval.
According to him, the opening of new border crossing points will expand transport links between the countries and accelerate trade.
