Tennessee could be on the fast track to the “Music City Loop,” with approval from State Building Commission
The underground tunnel system, which use fleets of Teslas, would remove thousands of vehicles daily from roadways and state highways.
On Monday, July 28, Governor Bill Lee announced that Elon Musk’s Boring Company plans to build the “Music City Loop,” a privately funded underground transportation system designed to slash the travel time between downtown Nashville and Nashville International Airport (BNA). The roadway exclusively supports Tesla fleets, like an underground taxi system.
On Thursday, Lee asked the State Building Commission to approve a lease of one acre of a state-owned parking lot at the 600 block of Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, which is at the foot of Capitol Hill. The commission voted in favor of the temporary land lease, with pushback from democrats.
According to the Boring Company, the tunnel system would take drivers just eight minutes to travel from the Convention Center to the BNA. airport.
The system will rely on all-electric, zero-emission vehicles traveling through high-speed tunnels built beneath state-owned roads.
This private project comes with a price tag of $0 to taxpayers. It will be 100 percent privately funded by Musk’s company.
“By leveraging the innovation of private sector companies like The Boring Company, we’re exploring possibilities we couldn’t achieve on our own as a state. This partnership represents the kind of forward-thinking, fiscally responsible approach that will define the future of transportation in Tennessee,” said Governor Bill Lee in a press release.
The project’s first phase—a 10-mile stretch connecting downtown and the Nashville Convention Center to BNA—will enter its planning and community engagement period immediately. Once approvals are secured, construction could begin as soon as this fall, with the first segment expected to be operational by late 2026.
Tennessee commuters and visitors alike could feel the impact quickly. During rush hour or high-tourism periods, it currently takes 20 to 35 minutes or more to get from downtown to the airport. The Music City Loop could cut that time by more than two-thirds.
The Boring Company said it selected Nashville for its rapid growth, strong economic potential, and dedication to embracing smart, forward-looking infrastructure.
“We are excited to bring our world-class tunneling and transportation capabilities to Tennessee,” said Steve Davis, President of The Boring Company. “We are appreciative and grateful for the continued support and collaboration from the State of Tennessee, and local Nashville community and business leaders.”
According to the Boring Company, its Vegas Loop recently earned a 99.57 percent safety and security rating from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Though the company will still need to undergo construction regulations, permits, environmental reviews, and additional safety agreements to be fully approved in Nashville.
Read more in the press release. All photos and videos provided courtesy of The Boring Company.
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