Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Elon Musk-founded The Boring Company announced plans this week for the Music City Loop, a privately funded underground transportation system intended to link downtown Nashville with Nashville International Airport (BNA) in approximately 8 minutes.
The project represents the latest effort to address growing congestion in one of the country’s fastest-growing metro areas.
The proposed 10-mile system would use underground tunnels to transport passengers in all-electric vehicles. Officials say construction could begin following a public review and approvals process, with an initial segment operational by fall 2026.
“Tennessee continues to lead the nation in finding innovative solutions to infrastructure challenges,” said Gov. Lee in a statement. “This partnership represents a fiscally responsible approach that explores possibilities we couldn’t achieve on our own as a state.”
Unlike traditional transit infrastructure projects, the Music City Loop would be built and financed entirely by The Boring Company and its private partners, requiring no taxpayer funding. Supporters argue the project has the potential to reduce traffic, lower emissions, and offer a new travel option during major events or peak travel periods.
The announcement has received endorsements from local, state, and federal officials, including the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, and members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation.
“The Boring Company's investment will help ease growing pains and address transportation challenges at zero cost to taxpayers,” said Senator Marsha Blackburn in a statement.
Naysayers to the plan note similar proposals have stalled in markets like Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, and Los Angeles. Further, the mayor of Nashville did not attend this week's announcement of the Music City Loop.
Why Nashville?
The Boring Company cited Nashville’s rapid population growth, airport expansion, and increasing demand for efficient mobility as key factors in selecting the city for the project. Once completed, the Music City Loop is expected to remove thousands of vehicles from surface streets daily, easing congestion and preserving road infrastructure.
The system would use all-electric, zero-emissions vehicles traveling through underground tunnels constructed beneath existing state-owned roadways. According to The Boring Company, the design minimizes surface disruption, with no major road closures or large construction pits expected.
The Loop model differs from traditional subways or light rail systems by offering direct, point-to-point service. The company’s Vegas Loop, already operational, recently received a 99.57% safety and security rating from the Department of Homeland Security and TSA.
Next Steps
The project will now move into a public engagement and planning phase, including route evaluation and stakeholder consultation. If approved, construction could begin within the next year.
Though questions remain about long-term ridership, integration with existing transit systems, and regulatory hurdles, the Music City Loop marks a new chapter in Nashville’s ongoing transportation discussion.
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