Boring Company Eyes $240M Nashville Airport Tunnel, Testing Already Underway on Broadway

Source: Tennessee Lookout

Transforming Nashville’s Transit Future

A bold new transit proposal is taking shape in Nashville. The Boring Company, founded by Elon Musk, has outlined a 10-mile underground tunnel connecting downtown Nashville to the airport. The project, unveiled at the Rotary Club of Nashville by Chief Development Officer Jim Fitzgerald, carries an estimated price tag of $240 million to $300 million for two lanes—dramatically lower than traditional industry costs.

By keeping most engineering and tunneling operations in-house, The Boring Company says it can deliver underground transit at a fraction of conventional rates. Typical tunnel projects can cost between $500 million and $1 billion per mile. In Nashville, the company is offering an entire system for less than the price of two miles of light rail.

Cheaper Than Past Rail Plans

Nashville has debated large-scale transit investments before. The 2018 light rail plan proposed under then-Mayor Megan Barry came with a $5.4 billion price tag for 24 miles of track, or roughly $200 million per mile. That plan collapsed in the face of voter opposition. Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s current transportation strategy focuses on bus service and roadway improvements, with rail construction off the table.

Against that backdrop, the Boring proposal stands out not only for its lower price but also for its financing model: the tunnel will be built at no cost to taxpayers.

Work Already Underway on Broadway

The Boring Company has already begun testing Nashville’s underground geology. A recent post on X shows crews drilling into the bedrock beneath Broadway, one of the city’s busiest state-owned streets.

That step signals that the project is moving beyond the conceptual stage. If tunnels extend beneath Broadway, the implications for both tourists and residents could be significant. Visitors could travel seamlessly from Broadway’s entertainment district to the airport without sitting in traffic, while locals would benefit from reduced congestion on key downtown routes. A more efficient flow of people in and out of the city center could help relieve pressure on Nashville’s streets, particularly during peak tourism seasons and major events.

How the Tunnel Would Work

The plan envisions passengers boarding Tesla vehicles at above-ground stations before traveling through the underground lanes directly to their destinations. Fitzgerald highlighted the system’s safety features, saying he would trust his own 16-year-old daughter to ride alone.

Flooding concerns—a recurring issue in Middle Tennessee—are being addressed through waterproof construction, sump pumps, elevated stations, and drainage systems. In the event of severe weather, the tunnels would be evacuated and repaired at the company’s expense.

Tackling Nashville’s Unique Challenges

Nashville’s karst terrain, marked by caves, sinkholes, and shifting underground streams, is one of the biggest engineering challenges. Fitzgerald said deeper tunneling leads to more stable and predictable rock formations, reducing environmental risks. He also emphasized cooperation with local utility providers to prevent disruptions to sewer and water systems.

Toward a Music City Loop

The airport tunnel represents just the first phase of a larger “Music City Loop.” Once completed, additional legs could extend beneath major corridors and neighborhoods, creating a citywide rapid-transit alternative that bypasses above-ground congestion entirely.

The state is supporting the project by granting The Boring Company free right-of-way beneath state highways and a no-cost lease on a Capitol-area parking lot to stage its equipment. With Gov. Bill Lee’s backing and growing support from Nashville’s business community, momentum is building for the city’s first serious underground transit network.

Track Record and Next Steps

The company already operates the 6-mile “Vegas Loop” in Nevada, with a reported capacity of 4,400 passengers per hour. While the Las Vegas project has faced regulatory and safety challenges, expansion plans continue there, and the company views Nashville as its next major U.S. market.

Bedrock testing on Broadway suggests the Music City Loop may already be closer than many residents realize. If successful, the Nashville airport tunnel could change not just how people reach the airport but also how residents and tourists experience the city itself.