What if your next trip to the airport took just eight minutes—no traffic, no buses, and no ride-share surge pricing? That’s exactly the kind of futuristic convenience Elon Musk is pitching to the people of Nashville.
But while the tech billionaire has won over some powerful fans in Tennessee, not everyone is buying into the hype.
A Bold Plan to Redefine City Travel
Musk’s tunneling startup, The Boring Company, has set its sights on Nashville for its next big project: a 10-mile underground loop that would connect the city’s downtown to the airport.
The idea is to shuttle passengers in electric vehicles through the “Music City Loop” in just eight minutes—a major time-saver compared to the 30-minute ride it usually takes by car or public transport.
The system would be similar to the one already running in Las Vegas, where Teslas drive through underground tunnels between key locations.
Tennessee Lawmakers Roll Out the Red Carpet
The announcement was made with plenty of fanfare during a press conference on July 28.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, a Republican, was all smiles, calling it a “game-changer” for the state.
“They could’ve gone anywhere for their next underground project, but they chose Tennessee,” he said proudly.
“And the best part? It’s 100 percent privately funded. Not a dime from taxpayers.”
Senator Marsha Blackburn echoed that enthusiasm, calling the move a “huge win” for Nashville and praising it as a smart investment in cutting-edge infrastructure.
But City Leaders Are Far Less Impressed
Local officials, however, are far more skeptical.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell didn’t even show up to the event.
In a short statement, he said his team still had many questions about how the project would impact the city and its residents.
Metro Council has yet to give its blessing, and concerns are growing that the state may be jumping the gun on a project that hasn’t even been fully reviewed.
Critics Slam the Tunnel as Elitist and Irresponsible
Democratic lawmakers in Tennessee are sounding the alarm.
State Representative John Ray Clemmons called the deal “fiscally irresponsible and legally suspect,” warning that it gives far too much control to a private billionaire—especially one with a controversial track record.
“No serious leader would hand over unlimited underground property rights to someone like Elon Musk,” he said.
“Not even Trump trusts him anymore.”
Others, like Representative Aftyn Behn, say the tunnel is just another example of the government favoring billionaires over everyday Tennesseans.
“This is a vanity project for the rich,” Behn said in a press release.
“Meanwhile, working families are still stuck in traffic.”
Citizens Sound Off and They’re Not Happy
Public reaction hasn’t exactly been glowing either.
On Reddit and other platforms, locals expressed frustration and disbelief.
“This isn’t solving our transit problem—it’s padding Musk’s bank account,” one user wrote.
Another person commented, “We could’ve built a solid light rail system instead of throwing money at this nonsense.”
And a third person summed it up bluntly: “What a complete waste of money.”
Construction May Begin Soon, If Approved
Despite the backlash, The Boring Company appears to be pushing full steam ahead.
The Tennessee state government says construction will begin as soon as approvals are secured.
If all goes to plan, the Music City Loop could be up and running by fall of 2026.
The Bottom Line
This project has become a symbol of a bigger debate: who gets to shape the future of urban transportation, and who really benefits? While Musk’s supporters tout innovation and private investment, critics warn of corporate overreach and misplaced priorities.
As Nashville weighs the decision, one thing is clear—this tunnel isn’t just about digging underground.
It’s unearthing some deep disagreements about the city’s future.
