| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Location | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Status | Proposed |
| Start | Downtown Nashville |
| End | Nashville International Airport |
| Operation | |
| Traffic | Automotive |
The Music City Loop is a planned underground transit tunnel in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, connecting downtown Nashville to the Nashville International Airport (BNA). The Boring Company plans to complete the project in 2026 at the earliest.
Prior to the announcement of the project, there had been a previous proposal to construct underground tunnels in and around downtown Nashville for the purpose of improving public transit. In 2018, voters rejected Let's Move Nashville, a comprehensive transit plan which would have included the construction of a 1.8 miles (2.9 km) light rail tunnel in downtown. [1] [2]
On July 28, 2025, it was announced that The Boring Company would construct an approximately 10 miles (16 km) high-speed underground tunnel between downtown Nashville and the Nashville International Airport. The company reportedly chose Nashville due to its rapid growth and the need to reduce traffic congestion on surface streets and highways caused by cars traveling between the two locations. The project had reportedly been in the works for some time, and is planned to be entirely privately funded. The first phase is expected to be complete by the fall of 2026 at the earliest, with the goal of completion in two years. While the project will initially run between downtown and BNA, additional stops are planned along the route in the future. It is planned to run underneath state-maintained highways. The tunnel will shuttle passengers back and forth in approximately 8 to 10 minute trips in Tesla vehicles, another company owned by Musk. [3] [4] [5]
On August 12, 2025, the Nashville Banner revealed that zero environmental studies, community outreach, impact measurement assessments, or vetting had taken place prior to its approval. It was also discovered that the Tennessee State Building Commission had leased state-owned land to The Boring Company for free, in addition to allowing The Boring Company to use the land for staging and a job fair prior to the start of the lease. [6]
This apparent preordained approval created outrage among community members who have serious doubts as to the safety of burrowing in the limestone beneath the flood-prone city of Nashville and the impact construction will have on the surrounding communities, [6] especially in light of the environmental impacts of the construction of The Boring Company's other project, the Las Vegas Loop. [7] [8]