Summary
Nashville’s Metro Council on Tuesday passed a resolution opposing a proposed Tesla tunnel loop from Elon Musk’s The Boring Company, arguing that the project’s planning process left city officials short on safety assurances, transparency and meaningful local input.
The resolution, sponsored by Delishia Porterfield, passed in a 20-15 vote with two abstentions. Porterfield said in comments ahead of the vote that public land needs to be used for public good and that public infrastructure decisions must prioritize the welfare, safety and “express needs” of Nashville residents.
The council action drew a line between symbolic opposition and regulatory authority. The measure, officials said, cannot force The Boring Company to stop, delay or alter its Music City Loop plans, but it does provide an official record of the grievances council members raised after the company’s announcement and subsequent questions.
City and council members described themselves as blindsided by the July announcement of the “Music City Loop.” In that announcement, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and The Boring Company said the tunnel loop would be built at no cost to taxpayers, with free use of some state land near the Capitol. The first stretch was described as 13 miles, later expanded to about 25 miles, and the plan has been presented with a timeline for the first section to be operational in the first quarter of 2027.
Under the proposal, The Boring Company says the Nashville loop would rely on a fleet of Tesla vehicles driven by trained drivers, with “more than 30” stations designed and potential for additional routes and stations. The company said the expected ride cost would be lower than other transportation options and said the cars would be human-driven, while leaving open the possibility of exploring autonomous vehicles in the future.
Council members also discussed concerns raised about safety, the company’s engagement with local stakeholders and the project’s fit with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Lindsay Lee, chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities, said in an email interview Wednesday that she had not seen clear evidence the company had wheelchair-accessible Teslas and questioned whether changes would come in time for the planned launch.
David Buss, The Boring Company vice president for commercial and government affairs, told the council during earlier meetings that Nashville was “a great place to do tunneling,” citing existing tunnels built previously by other entities. The Boring Company also pointed to what it described as a strong safety record managing variable ground conditions, including in Las Vegas.
Other council members expressed different concerns about the resolution’s approach. John Rutherford, a council member who voted against the measure, asked colleagues to set aside political views about Musk, saying that voting in opposition could risk closing the door to any dialogue with The Boring Company.
The resolution additionally drew attention to geological and environmental concerns tied to the tunnel’s underground setting. It cited potential risks connected to Nashville’s porous limestone, including sinkholes and water movement, and it also referenced the city’s history of major flooding.
The Boring Company has been criticized in Tennessee before, including after Musk-owned xAI’s data center in Memphis began operating in 2024, where residents protested at city meetings over pollution-emitting gas turbines and an allegation that permits had not been sought in advance. A representative for The Boring Company did not immediately comment when reached by the AP.