Luxembourg, 28/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) decided on Thursday to provide loans totalling EUR 285 million for transport projects in Prague and Pilsen in the Czech Republic. A loan of EUR 210 million for 25 years to the government will be used by the Transport Ministry to finance a new Pilsen by-pass on the Nuremberg-Prague motorway. A second loan of EUR 75 million for 20 years to the City of Prague will help finance an extension of Prague's C metro line. The new loan brings the total provided for the project to EUR 150 million, a first tranche of EUR 75 million being granted in 2000. The project constitutes the first phase of the extension of the metro network to the north-east of the city, which the EIB notes will provide substantial transport efficiency gains and reduce pollution by relieving traffic congestion in the city centre.