Nashville’s Tesla Tunnel Project Faces Opposition Despite Approvals
Nashville, Tennessee is moving forward with the Music City Loop, an underground tunnel system designed for Tesla vehicles, despite significant opposition from the Metro Nashville Council. The project, spearheaded by The Boring Company (TBC) and backed by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, aims to connect downtown Nashville with the Nashville International Airport (BNA).
Project Overview and Route
The Music City Loop will utilize a fleet of Tesla vehicles, initially Model Ys and Model Xs, driven by trained professionals, to transport passengers through an approximately 13-mile underground tunnel network. The Airport alignment begins near the State Capitol at Lot 16, travels south along Rosa L. Parks Boulevard to 8th Avenue South, then southeast along Lafayette Street, following Murfreesboro Pike to Donelson Pike, and terminating within 100 feet of BNA [The Boring Company]. A second alignment, the Broadway alignment, extends southwest from Lower Broadway along West Conclude Avenue, past Centennial Park and Vanderbilt, and terminates near 440 [The Boring Company].
Council Opposition and Concerns
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Metro Nashville Council passed a resolution with a vote of 20-15 (with two abstentions) opposing the project. The resolution cites concerns regarding safety, transparency, and a lack of local input [AP News]. Council members expressed frustration over being excluded from major infrastructure decisions impacting public land and transportation planning [AP News]. The council requested comprehensive information regarding the project’s scope, timeline, safety measures, environmental concerns, and potential fiscal impact, but TBC declined, stating its focus was on partnering with the state [AP News].
State and Company Progress
Despite the council’s opposition, the project is moving forward with state and company approvals. Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Transportation jointly approved a lease and permit for the tunnel on February 25, 2026 [The Boring Company]. The Boring Company announced the commencement of tunneling in Nashville the same day [The Boring Company]. Construction began on January 16, 2026 [AP News].
Legislative Action
A bill is currently progressing through the Tennessee State Legislature to create a new state agency overseeing The Boring Company’s tunnel system. The bill passed the Senate Transportation Committee on February 26, 2026, and is now under consideration by the Senate Government Operations Committee [The Independent].
Project Funding and Timeline
The Music City Loop is privately funded and is not expected to cost taxpayers any money. The first section of the tunnel is projected to be operational by the first quarter of 2027 [The Independent]. The initial 13-mile stretch has been expanded to approximately 25 miles to include additional routes [The Independent].
The company anticipates the cost to ride will be lower than other transportation options [The Boring Company].