Underground transit system worth $100 million being developed by Elon Musk's company in a significant metropolis of the South
Music City Loop: A Promising, Yet Controversial, Transportation Solution for Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee, is set to revolutionize its transportation system with the proposed Music City Loop, an all-electric, high-speed underground transit system by Elon Musk's The Boring Company. This ambitious project, a partnership between the state and private sector, aims to connect Nashville International Airport (BNA) to downtown Nashville, ending near the Tennessee State Capitol.
The system, which will use modified Teslas as a paid taxi service, is planned to offer an estimated transit time of about 8 minutes from airport to downtown. The tunnel route largely follows state-owned roads, running below Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, 8th Avenue South, Lafayette Street (which leads to Murfreesboro Pike), then Donelson Pike to the airport terminal.
The project, touted as 100% privately funded, was unveiled publicly in July 2025, with immediate intentions to begin construction after necessary approvals. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has stated that the project will be carried out at no cost to taxpayers. The first phase is targeted to be operational as early as fall 2026, implying an ambitious timeline to complete the initial 10-mile route in under two years.
However, the Music City Loop faces significant scrutiny from Nashville officials and community stakeholders. Critics have raised concerns about route impacts, public transit coordination, and transparency. Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell and Metro have questioned the project's specifics, route integrity, and its potential impact on Nashville’s existing transit plans. Some Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about the speed of the project and the lack of information regarding it.
Councilman Russ Bradford argues that the Music City Loop does not address pressing challenges such as deteriorating roads, under-resourced public transportation, rising housing costs, and widening disparities in opportunity across neighborhoods. He also contends that the system is designed primarily for the convenience of tourists, not residents.
State Rep. Aftyn Behn has criticized the Music City Loop, stating that it is the privatization of public infrastructure and does nothing to solve congestion issues. Despite these criticisms, The Boring Company, which is currently working on a similar project in Las Vegas, plans to start construction immediately after receiving necessary approvals.
The Music City Loop promises to reduce traffic congestion by removing thousands of vehicles from surface streets, extend the lifespan of roads, and provide a safe, fast, and reliable transit option, especially during major events and peak travel seasons. It is also expected to create dozens to hundreds of local jobs during construction and use advanced tunneling technology to minimize community disruption and enhance safety.
In summary, the Music City Loop is an innovative, privately funded project that, if successful, could revolutionize transportation in Nashville. However, it faces significant scrutiny regarding route impacts, public transit coordination, and transparency from Nashville officials and community stakeholders.
- Despite the potential of the Music City Loop to reduce traffic congestion and extend the lifespan of roads, critics argue that it primarily serves the convenience of tourists and overlooks pressing issues like deteriorating roads, under-resourced public transportation, rising housing costs, and widening disparities in opportunity across neighborhoods.
- The Tennessee Governor, Bill Lee, has assured that the Music City Loop will be carried out at no cost to taxpayers, yet some Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about the speed of the project and the lack of information regarding it.
- As the Music City Loop plans to use modified Teslas for a paid taxi service and promises to create local jobs during construction, it is expected to employ advanced tunneling technology to minimize community disruption and enhance safety, similar to the project The Boring Company is currently working on in Las Vegas.
