Macao's Infrastructure Development Office (IDO) has received bids from 18 enterprises for the city's Barrier Gate extension project, according to a statement issued by the Office Tuesday.

The proposed prices range between 110 million patacas (US$13.75 million) and 190 million patacas (US$23.75 million), while the suggested construction periods range between 16 and 17 months.

Under the government's extension plan, the new Barrier Gate which is linking the Chinese mainland city of Zhuhai, will have a capacity of handling 500,000 travelers per day, up 300,000 over the current number.

The number of immigration checkpoints will rise from 52 to 105 while the number of vehicle lanes will decrease from 10 to eight, according to the scheme.

The government will soon unveil the winner of the public bid, said the IDO in its statement.

(Xinhua News Agency October 17, 2007)