The construction of the fast lanes at the Niirala border station was approved by the Selection Committee on February 26, 2004. The cost estimate drafted during project planning proved to be insufficient due to the increase in the general cost level. The lowest quote received in the competitive bidding process exceeded its original cost estimate with a total of €495,000. Due to this, an application for an extension to the project implementation period to the end of October 2006 had already been submitted. Once the Niirala border crossing point began 24-hour service on Sept 1, 2005, the technical functionality of the border point became an even more pressing issue. The investment project was intended to implement the construction of the fast lanes and lane signage for both the arriving (three lanes) and departing (two lanes) lanes for both heavy and light traffic. In addition, the existing road structures were to be reinforced throughout the traffic area. 50 percent of the project funding was received from the European Regional Development fund and 50 percent from the Finnish Road Administration.