Boring Company’s Broadway Work Hints at Major Expansion of Music City LOOP

Source: The Boring Company on X

Broadway: A Strategic Next Step for the LOOP

The Boring Company (TBC) appears to be broadening its footprint in Nashville. Recent social media posts from the company show geotechnical engineering work underway in two locations far beyond its originally announced route between the Nashville International Airport and Capitol Hill: one directly under Broadway near Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, and another near Vanderbilt University.

Together, these updates offer the strongest public indication yet that the Music City LOOP—a proposed underground transit system—may soon include a westward extension beneath Broadway and West End Avenue.

Why Broadway Makes Sense

Broadway is more than just a street—it’s the heart of Nashville’s tourism and entertainment economy. As a state-maintained route, it also carries an important technical advantage: because it is state property, tunneling beneath it would require only state approval, not city authorization. This legal and logistical alignment mirrors the company’s first phase under Murfreesboro Pike, which helped the project avoid layers of local bureaucracy.

A LOOP route under Broadway could help relieve one of Nashville’s most congested corridors. Thousands of Ubers, taxis, and personal vehicles crowd Broadway each night, particularly around Bridgestone Arena and Lower Broadway’s entertainment district. A high-capacity underground system could move those trips below the surface, improving both traffic flow and pedestrian safety above ground.

Some have speculated that such a system could even allow the city to close parts of Broadway—between the Cumberland River and Bridgestone Arena—to general traffic altogether, transforming the area into a walkable, pedestrian-only district.

A Hypothetical Route Beneath the Strip

If TBC were to extend the LOOP under Broadway, one logical starting point would be Riverfront Station, where the Nashville Star commuter rail currently terminates. By linking the LOOP to this existing rail hub, commuters from eastern suburbs could continue into the downtown core without switching to above ground cars or rideshares.

From Riverfront, the tunnel could follow Broadway westward with potential stops at:

• Bridgestone Arena – Direct underground access could dramatically reduce congestion after Predators games or concerts. As the arena prepares for a multi-million-dollar renovation, integrating a LOOP station could offer a once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernize downtown transit.

• Rosa L. Parks Boulevard – A transfer hub connecting the existing north–south alignment from the Airport to Capitol Hill would allow LOOP vehicles to switch seamlessly between routes.

• The Frist Art Museum – A stop here would link visitors to one of the city’s top cultural institutions and support downtown tourism.

• Broadwest Development – West of the Interstate 40/65 interchange, this growing business district could benefit from rapid access to downtown and Vanderbilt.

• 21st Avenue/Vanderbilt Area – Providing access to Midtown’s entertainment and hospitality sector while connecting the university’s edge of campus.

• Centennial Park/Stadium Terminal – A logical endpoint near Vanderbilt Stadium and the park, providing congestion relief during major sporting and public events.

Each stop would support distinct ridership segments—commuters, visitors, and eventgoers—while reducing above-ground traffic volumes that currently stretch Nashville’s roadways and ride-share capacity.

Potential Impacts on Downtown Mobility

If implemented, a Broadway tunnel could reshape how both residents and tourists move through Nashville. Event nights at Bridgestone Arena or Vanderbilt Stadium currently bring gridlock to surrounding streets. A LOOP station beneath each venue could disperse crowds underground, moving thousands of passengers per hour without clogging intersections or sidewalks.

The system could also enhance the reach of existing public transportation. With an integrated connection to the Nashville Star line, the LOOP could extend the usefulness of the city’s only commuter rail service—making train travel into the city center faster and more practical.

While questions remain about cost, construction timeline, and environmental review, the engineering activity now visible under Broadway signals that The Boring Company may already be gathering the data needed for future expansion decisions.

Looking Ahead

No official route changes have been confirmed by The Boring Company or the State of Tennessee. However, the recent activity downtown suggests that the company’s Nashville vision may extend far beyond the airport-to-Capitol Hill corridor.

For now, the Music City LOOP remains in its early stages—but if the Broadway alignment becomes reality, it could mark a turning point in how Nashville handles its growing traffic challenges while strengthening its downtown economy.