Elon Musk’s Boring Company is setting its sights on Nashville, Tennessee, with a bold plan to dig a high-speed underground tunnel connecting the city’s bustling downtown with Nashville International Airport. If approved, construction could begin immediately, and the first 10-mile stretch might be operational as early as next year.
This ambitious project mirrors the Boring Company’s earlier success in Las Vegas, where its tunnel system beneath the Las Vegas Convention Center uses a fleet of Teslas to shuttle passengers quickly between major destinations. That Vegas loop has already expanded to connect to nearby resorts, offering a futuristic glimpse of what urban transportation might soon look like in Music City.
Privately Funded—No Cost to Taxpayers
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that the Nashville loop will come at “zero cost” to taxpayers. Instead, it will be entirely privately funded by Musk’s Boring Company and its investors. The goal is to provide a faster, cleaner, and more modern transportation option that cuts travel time from the airport to downtown to just eight minutes.
Political Tensions Emerge at Launch Event
Despite the promise of innovation, the project launch hasn’t been without controversy. Nashville Democratic Representative Justin Jones claimed he was blocked from attending the official announcement event—allegedly reserved for Republicans. In a pointed Instagram statement, Rep. Jones accused Governor Lee of prioritizing corporate interests over Tennessee’s real infrastructure needs.
“This project, which requires state approval, is yet another attempt by Bill Lee and his corporate donors to enrich themselves while neglecting public services,” said Jones.
Will This Project Actually Happen?
While the promise of an ultra-fast underground transit system is exciting, many remain skeptical. The Boring Company has previously proposed similar projects in cities like Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Chicago—only to abandon them quietly.
Even when construction does start, worker safety remains a major concern. A 2024 Fortune investigation revealed troubling reports from within The Boring Company, with one employee stating the job “consistently flirted with death.” These allegations raise important questions about oversight and accountability as the company moves forward in Nashville.
Still, for a city that continues to grow at record speed, the promise of reducing airport traffic congestion and offering a futuristic travel experience is hard to ignore. Whether this tunnel becomes a symbol of progress or another abandoned promise remains to be seen.
