11/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 11 February, the European Investment Bank (EIB) granted to the government of Extremadura (Junta de Extremadura) a loan of €100 million for upgrading the road network in that autonomous community of Spain. The Extremadura Planning Ministry is upgrading a substantial part of the region's road network, including the improvement of 13 sections of existing road totalling 204 km and the construction of 13 km of new bypasses in Navalvillar de Pela, Villar del Rey, Monterrubio de la Serena, Segura de León and Zafra. These schemes form part of the PIVEX 2008-2015 road infrastructure plan and will serve to increase road capacity, reduce travel time and improve road safety in the region. The work financed by this loan is scheduled for completion in December 2013. (O.L./transl.jl)