Tennessee Governor Bill Lee had a bright smile as he unveiled plans for Elon Musk’s boring company to construct a 10-mile tunnel linking Nashville International Airport with downtown Nashville. Named the “Music City Loop,” this project aims to transport passengers in electric vehicles, likely Teslas, given Musk’s ownership of them.
The company claims it’s creating tunnels to address traffic issues, suggesting that the project will “transform how people travel from the airport to downtown Nashville.” However, amidst the excitement, there are concerns. For instance, Steve Davis, the CEO of the boring company, has highlighted that constructing such tunnels through Middle Tennessee’s limestone can be tricky, and the company’s past projects have mainly been limited to Las Vegas.
Initially, I found Lee’s support for this initiative a bit hypocritical. After all, Republican lawmakers in the state have often pushed back against Nashville’s efforts to enhance public transit options, which seems contradictory when they advocate for a tunnel primarily benefiting billionaires and tourists.
Back in 2012, Nashville’s Mayor Carl Dean attempted to implement a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) plan, aimed at improving public transport by allowing buses to use dedicated lanes, which was a well-proven method in other U.S. regions. Yet, this proposal faced resistance not only from advocacy groups but also from Tennessee Republicans, who ultimately limited Nashville’s ability to manage its transit plans.
Former state representative Jeremy Durham even pushed a 2014 bill that mandated state approval for the BRT project, which has been struggling ever since. Despite Nashville voters approving a new tax to fund better transportation, they now need state consent to improve transit on state roads.
Moreover, the current GOP-controlled legislature has enacted laws that reduce Nashville’s authority further, stifling its local governance.
So yes, while it might seem hypocritical for state leaders to promote this flashy tunnel project, perhaps it’s just part of the branding for a government that has prioritized deals with large companies over local needs.
Since taking office in 2018, Lee hasn’t focused much on pressing issues like health insurance accessibility, with around 300,000 Tennesseans currently ineligible for Medicaid. When it comes to gun safety following a school shooting in 2023, only minimal actions were taken, alongside a funding proposal that drew from already stretched resources.
Additionally, there are serious issues within state custody systems—children have been reported sleeping on office floors due to a lack of resources. Yet, Lee’s administration continues to promote adoption as a solution, even as challenges persist for families, especially those with children who have mental health needs.
Last but not least, the growing traffic problems around Nashville can’t be overlooked. The city is in dire need of efficient public transport to tackle the notorious congestion on its three interstates. Commuters from nearby areas, like Murfreesboro and Franklin, often find themselves stuck in traffic for hours.
What does the governor’s plan offer? A toll lane that’s marketed as a “choice lane,” pushing the idea that people can opt to pay more for less traffic. While Lee praises the Musk Tunnel for alleviating congestion, it seems unlikely that it will provide substantial benefits to Nashville residents or those from surrounding counties, who may just end up funding a project that caters more to the wealthy.
In essence, the project brings up questions about what truly serves the people of Tennessee. Perhaps there’s no hypocrisy here, just the Governor’s consistent approach to his priorities.
