At the Nashville Rotary Club Meeting on September 29, 2025, representatives from Elon Musk’s Boring Company presented renderings of the equipment planned for a tunnel designed for Tesla vehicles.
The company intends to construct a 10-mile tunnel from downtown Nashville to the airport, which will feature two underground lanes. The estimated costs for this project range from $240 million to $300 million.
Jim Fitzgerald, the Boring Company’s development manager, explained at the Rotary Club meeting that this amount will be charged to the state under a commercial agreement. He noted that the engineering-focused nature of his company could result in completing more significant projects than the industry’s usual costs.
Fitzgerald mentioned, “We’re trying to change the tunnel transportation infrastructure.” When audience members expressed curiosity, he emphasized the potential innovations.
Comparatively, the 2018 transport plan proposed by former mayor Megan Barry estimated a light rail system cost of $200 million per mile, while the current transport focus under Mayor Freddie O’Connell is primarily on bus transportation, leaving out light rail construction entirely.
Nashville organizations, including the Music City Centre and the Chamber of Commerce, back the Boring Company’s proposals, highlighting their potential to alleviate traffic congestion. However, residents have voiced concerns, particularly regarding environmental impacts.
Supported by Gov. Bill Lee, the Boring Company has committed to fully finance the “Music City Loop” project, securing a non-cost lease to utilize state-owned parking lots for launching drilling equipment. The state also plans to facilitate boring under public rights along the highway.
Fitzgerald informed the audience that the company aims to “prove” itself with this initial phase to assess where additional lines might be feasible.
He did, however, refrain from addressing questions about the six-mile “Vegas Loop,” which has seen a passenger count of 4,400 per hour. While the company plans to extend this tunnel to 60 miles, it has encountered some difficulties along the way.
According to a report, the company constructed a tunnel without proper permissions on county property, leading to a $112,000 fine due to issues including dumping water improperly and workers suffering from injuries.
Injuries occurred again on September 11 during work on the Las Vegas Loop, prompting a brief suspension of the project.
Soon after, the Boring Company began assessing Nashville for its next major project in March 2024.
Fitzgerald acknowledged the area’s susceptibility to “Hellas Flood” but assured attendees that the tunnels are designed to be waterproof, equipped with sump pumps, and built with high stations to manage drainage during flooding events.
In responding to an inquiry about past failed proposals regarding underground tunnels, Fitzgerald stated that the company is conducting comprehensive investigations into local underground conditions, which include weathered limestone formations known for creating sinkholes and underground streams.
While some critics have expressed fears regarding potential damage to utilities during excavation, Fitzgerald pointed out that deeper digging tends to lead to more stable rock formations, thereby reducing environmental risks.
In a lighter moment, Fitzgerald mentioned that his 16-year-old daughter feels secure riding in one of their tunnels in Vegas. It’s a reassuring thought, I suppose, for families considering the use of such infrastructures.
