SJSC "State Real Estate" (SRE) signs a contract with LTD "Būvinženieru konstruktoru birojs" for design and author supervision works at the border control points "Grebņeva", "Terehova" and "Pāternieki" for modernisation, developing sustainable, climate-resilient, intelligent and safe infrastructure, informs Jeļena Gavrilova, Member of the Board of SRE.
The contract for design and supervision works at all three border crossing points is concluded for a total amount of EUR 1,185,500.00 (excluding VAT). Once the design works are completed, construction works are planned to commence from 2026 to 2028, following an open call for tenders, by concluding a contract with a single contractor for the execution of works at three border crossing points.
"In the current geopolitical situation, security is a priority for all sectors. Latvia's Eastern external border is the most direct guarantee of our security, so investing EU funds in strengthening it by modernising it is of the utmost importance. It is gratifying that the practical implementation of the project is proceeding according to plan and the design works for all three border crossing points has started," said Minister for Finance Arvils Ašeradens.
"Staff of the interior services are on the front line of the hybrid war, the State Border Guard fends off constant illegal migration pressure on the Latvian-Belarusian border on a daily basis. Border guards are constantly working in emergency mode, so we must do everything we can to ensure that their working conditions are modern and comfortable. Investing in the buildings of border crossing points, improving their technical support and the functionality of engineering networks, is an investment in our people and in Latvia's security," said Minister for the Interior Rihards Kozlovskis.
"At all three border crossing points, the functionality of the buildings and engineering networks does not meet current requirements for occupational safety and health, fire safety, energy efficiency and effective border control. The modernisation of border crossing points will improve their infrastructure and throughput, which will allow to manage the control of border crossers more effectively and strengthen border security," adds Jeļena Gavrilova, Member of the Board of SRE.
Performance of functions by the staff of services and for effective and simplified crossing of border by the border crossers requires the reconstruction of administrative buildings, pass control pavilions and related engineering networks and infrastructure, the construction of new modern premises suitable for a modern working environment, as well as the necessary infrastructure for the implementation of service functions. The projects will ensure a functional layout of the premises, adapting them for efficient service operations, effective screening of border crossers, modern control of goods, cargo, luggage and documents, as well as for energy efficiency, environmental accessibility of buildings, occupational safety, labour protection and fire safety requirements.
The border control points "Grebņeva", "Terehova" and "Pāternieki" have served their time. Buildings and engineering network are outdated and in need of reconstruction. Within the framework of previously implemented projects under the management of SRE, construction works were carried out at the border points from 2018 to 2024. This included the partial upgrading of the basic control infrastructure, investing in both buildings and road infrastructure to improve the technical state of the existing infrastructure, the working environment for control services and the quality of border crossing.
The complex of buildings at the border control point "Grebņeva" was built in 2000. In recent years (2022; 2023), the control pavilions have been reconstructed on the lanes and under the canopies. The modernisation project of the border control point will include the development of a 1,676 sq. m (preliminary future area for buildings is 4,090 sq. m) and ~ 8.3 ha of land. Total project cost reaches EUR 10,319,250.00 incl. VAT (including 85% of Cohesion Fund financing in the amount of EUR 8,771,361.95 and 15% of the state budget financing in the amount of EUR 1,547,888.05).
The complex of buildings at the border control point "Pāternieki" was built in 1999. Since 2018, renovation and reconstruction works have been carried out successively, during which three lanes in each direction and the necessary engineering networks at the Belarusian border control pavilion were built, a hand luggage terminal for bus passengers was constructed, the canopies and the control pavilions under them were rebuilt on the lanes, and the road surface was partially restored. The modernisation project of the border control point will include the development of a 3,430.80 sq. m (preliminary future area for buildings is 4,160 sq. m) and ~ 5,000 ha of land. Total project cost reaches EUR 13,073,439.00 incl. VAT (including 85% of Cohesion Fund financing in the amount of EUR 11,112,422.60 and 15% of the state budget financing in the amount of EUR 1,961,016.40).
The complex of buildings at the border control point "Terehova" was built in 1997. Since 2019, renovation and reconstruction work has been carried out in succession. Previously, Stage I and Stage II of the modernisation included the construction of treatment plants, a new enhanced control building, the reconstruction of the control pavilions under the canopies and the canopies themselves, road resurfacing, a modernised boiler house, a combined server room for the State Revenue Service and the State Border Guard, as well as other works. The Terehova BCP modernisation project will currently include the development of 2,485.60 sq.m. of buildings (provisional future area for buildings 3,245 sq.m.) and ~ 3,500 sq.m. of land. Total project cost reaches EUR 12,334,800 incl. VAT (including 85% of Cohesion Fund financing in the amount of EUR 10,484,579.45 and 15% of the state budget financing in the amount of EUR 1,850,220.55). More information about the previous projects is available on the SRE website in the section "Completed projects".
Based on SRE's knowledge and experience, SRE has been entrusted with the national responsibility to manage, supervise and implement the construction of the infrastructure of Latvia's Eastern external border. The border control point modernisation projects are implemented with the support of the EU Cohesion Fund, with a total investment of EUR 35,727,489.00 (Cohesion Fund support – EUR 30,368,364.00, state budget funding – EUR 5,359,125). More information on the modernisation of border control points is available on the SRE website under "Actual projects".
