Nashville is preparing for a major transportation upgrade (or maybe it should be called an under-grade…) with the announcement of the Music City Loop, an underground high-speed tunnel project led by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company.
We first reported on the possibility of this tunnel venture last month, and on Monday it was officially unveiled by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. The privately funded system will link downtown Nashville to Nashville International Airport (BNA) in just eight minutes, aiming to reduce traffic congestion and modernize the city’s infrastructure — all at zero cost to taxpayers.
“Tennessee continues to lead the nation in finding innovative solutions to infrastructure challenges,” said Gov. Lee. “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.”
The Music City Loop aims to reduce travel time between downtown and the airport to just 8 minutes, a significant improvement over the typical 20-minute surface commute. The initial 10-mile phase will run beneath state-owned roads, bypassing Nashville’s increasingly congested surface routes. The Boring Company, known for its Vegas Loop, will fully fund the project, eliminating the need for public dollars.
“The Boring Company is 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.”
Construction is expected to begin as soon as the approvals process is completed, with operations projected to start by the fall of 2026. The system will utilize Tesla EVs to shuttle passengers, offering a clean, efficient alternative to traditional ground transportation.
State officials say the project is expected to cut emissions and extend the lifespan of Nashville’s roads. The Loop will also be particularly valuable during major events and peak travel seasons, moving thousands of passengers per hour with predictable travel times.
The Boring Company’s Vegas Loop has already transported millions of passengers, recently earning a 99.57% safety rating from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the TSA — the highest ever awarded to a transit system. Nashville’s hard, rocky terrain presents engineering challenges, but Davis said the The Boring Company’s proprietary tunneling technology is designed to overcome such obstacles.
