Luxembourg, 02/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) has decided to lend EUR 650 million to Infraestructuras Ferroviaries de Catalunya for the construction of a new metro line in Barcelona. Forty-three kilometres long, the underground line (Line 9), with 47 stations in the city of Barcelona, will link up 6 municipalities and establish interconnections with the metro, bus and commuter train services, as well as the international airport and high speed train lines between Spain and France. Around one third of the project crosses economically and socially disadvantaged areas eligible for European Union support. Construction work began in 2003 and the line is due to become gradually operational in 2007/2008.