Potential Cumberland River Tunnel Could Link TPAC, Nissan Stadium, and the Music City Loop

Source: Three Pathways Across to East Bank — Loop Nashville

A New Opportunity for River-Crossing Transit as TPAC and Nissan Stadium Advance

Plans for the new Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) and the new Nissan Stadium are presenting Nashville with a unique moment. Both projects are advancing on construction timelines that still allow for potential integration of underground transit before surrounding infrastructure is finalized. Although the Nissan Stadium design was too far along for stations to be embedded directly into the building, updated East Bank concept drawings show open areas where underground access could still be introduced.

Recent confirmation from The Boring Company regarding active discussions for a new Broadway tunnel alignment reinforces this possibility. The east–west route, extending from Riverfront Station toward I-440, would create a logical branching point for a subreparian tunnel beneath the Cumberland River, bringing the East Bank into the broader Music City Loop network. With the right planning, such a connection could improve circulation during major events, reduce roadway congestion, and provide residents and visitors with faster access to destinations throughout the city.

A High-Impact Link Between Major Civic Venues

The future TPAC campus and the new Nissan Stadium will host large numbers of visitors year-round, and both areas are expected to see sustained increases in daily activity as East Bank redevelopment progresses. A tunnel connection serving these venues would create an efficient way to move people without straining bridges or surface streets that already operate near capacity during peak times.

Loop Nashville previously reported early signs of The Boring Company’s expansion in October, when utility work and surveying activity suggested a new Broadway alignment might be in play. Recent statements from the company confirming active discussions now make this scenario more concrete. A tunnel extending under the river from Broadway would support event-day operations while also functioning as a reliable connection for residents who work, live, or spend time on both sides of the river.

Station Possibilities at the New TPAC Campus

Publicly released plans for TPAC show a prominent green space and public gathering area along the northeastern edge of the site. This location offers a promising footprint for an underground station that would remain out of view while providing direct access to the performance venue. Because TPAC is still in the design and construction phase, the project team retains the flexibility to incorporate climate-controlled passages or other forms of integrated access.

A station in this location would also function as a connection point for nearby cultural and recreational amenities, including riverfront parks and the emerging pedestrian network around the Capitol and downtown arts district. Visitors could move between events and nearby destinations more easily, without relying on surface transportation during high-traffic periods.

Two Potential Station Sites at Nissan Stadium

Concept plans for the new Nissan Stadium identify several areas that could accommodate a Loop station. One promising location is the southwest corner of the stadium, where an underground station could be situated close to the concourse. This placement would offer convenient, weather-protected access for spectators while minimizing interference with the stadium’s exterior plazas.

Another viable location is the northeast corner of the stadium site. Depending on how the surrounding parcels develop, this area could support a surface-level station that would operate efficiently on game days and during large public gatherings. The northeast location sits along important pedestrian and transit corridors envisioned in the East Bank plan, making it naturally suited for high-volume use.

Together, these two sites would ease the heavy movement patterns that typically surround major events. They would also support daily mobility for residents as the East Bank transitions into a mixed-use neighborhood with new homes, offices, and civic amenities.

Extending the Tunnel Toward East Nashville

After passing under the northeast corner of the stadium site, the alignment could continue beneath state-owned rights-of-way. This approach would avoid private property complications and create a streamlined path into East Nashville. Such a connection would give the broader neighborhood a direct link into the Music City Loop, reducing trip times and improving access to downtown, North Capitol, Midtown, and the West End.

The idea of a river-crossing transit option has circulated for years, but the combination of the East Bank redevelopment timeline, the relocation of TPAC, and the active planning work by The Boring Company makes this moment particularly suitable for advancing the discussion. With so much construction ahead, Metro and the development authority have an opportunity to evaluate underground mobility before new streets and public spaces are finalized.

Why This Proposal Matters

A tunnel linking TPAC, Nissan Stadium, and East Nashville to the Music City Loop would create faster and more predictable mobility during major events. It would offer new travel options for residents and ease pressure on roads during times of peak demand. It would enhance safety by reducing pedestrian–vehicle conflict points, especially around bridges and stadium access routes. It would also support economic activity by making it easier for people to reach entertainment venues, retail areas, and future mixed-use developments.

While many details remain uncertain, integrating underground mobility at this stage could secure long-term benefits for the growing East Bank and for Nashville as a whole. The timing, geography, and development plans align in a way that makes the proposal worthy of serious consideration.