Underground boring is set to start on a £100 million project in Glasgow to create Scotland’s largest storm water tunnel.

Due for completion in 2018, the Shieldhall Tunnel project represents the biggest investment in waste water infrastructure in the city for more than a century.

Infrastructure secretary Keith Brown, who visited the project yesterday to review its progress, descended into the first 250 metres of the tunnel as part of a wider tour of the site as Scottish Water gears up to receive the 1,000 tonne, 180 metre-long tunnel boring machine in the coming weeks.

The Shieldhall Tunnel Project is a key element of Scottish Water’s £250m, five-year programme of work to modernise the waste water network in the Greater Glasgow area. On completion, the new 3.1 mile tunnel between Queen’s Park and Govan will provide storage during heavy rainfall.

Speaking during his visit, Mr Brown said: “I’m delighted to be here today to see first-hand how the Shieldhall Tunnel project is progressing. This is a massive undertaking – at more than £100m it will be Scotland’s largest sewer. This project is just one part of a massive investment programme to upgrade Glasgow’s sewer network to make it fit for the 21st Century. It is well known that the sewer system has contributed to flooding problems across Glasgow. This Government is determined to ensure that upgrades progress as they are essential to Glasgow’s future economic prosperity.

“I have been extremely impressed by the work undertaken so far by Scottish Water and its contractors and their efforts to work closely with affected communities. Delivering projects in the heart of Glasgow means working in tight spaces and in close proximity of people’s houses and businesses. In delivering this project, Scottish Water and their partners have demonstrated a significant level of careful planning to ensure the least amount of disruption for local communities while they deliver this key infrastructure project.

“This is another fine example of Scottish Water’s determination, as a public sector organisation to deliver for its customers and the Scottish Government is fully supportive of this kind of investment in key infrastructure projects in Scotland’s biggest city.”

Douglas Millican, Scottish Water’s chief executive, added: “Much of the Greater Glasgow area’s existing waste water infrastructure was built in Victorian times and the modernisation of the system and construction of new underground assets, such as the Shieldhall Tunnel, will protect the natural environment, reduce the risk of flooding and meet the needs of growth, economic development and regeneration.

“It is also supporting jobs and employment opportunities, including a number of apprenticeships.”