Checkpoints on the border of Russia and Finland can not cope with the flow of tourists. Finnish authorities have started to expand entry points in Nuijamaa-Brusnichnoye and Vaalimaa-Torfyanovka, where there will be 21 and 26 additional lanes, respectively, according to ee24.com citing Fontanka.fi.
According to Sami Henttonen, the captain of Southeast Finland Border Detachment, every checkpoint is optimized for annual traffic of 2.6 million vehicles, while in practice about 3.7 million vehicles passed through each of them in 2013.
Now, Nuijamaa will be equipped with 21 additional lanes. At a checkpoint near the village of Vaalimaa there will be 26 lanes, as well as a new terminal for the decoration of trucks. The reconstruction of checkpoints costs €7 and €16 million, respectively.
It is planned that the traffic capacity will double, and each of checkpoints will serve up to 6 million cars a year. It will be possible not only due to roads expansion, but also due to optimizing the customs clearance. Particularly, passengers won't need leave the car when passing the border.