A $1bn project to build a tunnel to the Port of Miami is on track with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for June, according to the Miami Access Tunnel consortium.

The consortium will design, build and operate the tunnel connecting the Port of Miami to the area expressways to reduce traffic congestion in downtown Miami.

A boring machine, worth $45m, has been ordered from Germany and will start digging in summer 2011, a representative of the consortium said.

The tunnel entrance will be at Watson Island on the median of the MacArthur Causeway which connects to Interstate 395.

The project is expected to be completed by 2014.