The Boring Company Initiates Nashville High-Speed Tunnel Construction

The Boring Company Begins Nashville High‑Speed Tunnel Construction Connecting Downtown to the Airport

The Boring Company has started excavation in Nashville for a private, high‑speed tunnel project intended to connect downtown Nashville to the Nashville International Airport. Work began on a state‑owned parking lot located at 637 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. Initial activity included setting up equipment and fences on the site before the lease was approved, a practice officials say is common during early construction steps.

Key parts of the project are currently bound by a rent‑free lease granted by the Tennessee State Building Commission. The lease lasts through 2027 and requires that the parking lot be returned in “the same or a better condition” than it was at the start. The state reserves the right to terminate the lease if progress stalls or delays continue. The site is now surrounded by multiple layers of fencing to restrict public access while work continues.

Visible on the ground is a new digging area roughly the width of four standard parking spaces. The excavation sits close to the state parking lot and is a centerpiece of the initial phase. The company has not publicly shown the proprietary boring machine, known as Prufrock, at this site, though equipment and other machinery are present on site.

The Boring Company has published a draft map of the proposed route for the tunnel, which begins near the Tennessee State Capitol and travels along Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, 8th Avenue S., Music City Center, Lafayette Street, Murfreesboro Pike, and toward the airport. Specific locations for both airport and Capitol stations have not been confirmed, and the Convention Center Authority has not yet voted on a proposed station at Music City Center, though members have expressed general support.

Travel inside the tunnel would involve boarding a Tesla Model X or Y at designated stations, with an expected travel time of under 10 minutes to reach a selected stop. The company also projects a very short boarding time—about 10 seconds—for passengers entering and exiting vehicles. Pricing for the Music City Loop is not yet set, but the company has indicated it will be similar to its Las Vegas Loop, where individual rides have been quoted in a range from about $4 to $12. The project is advertised as privately funded and claimed to produce zero emissions once operational, with no taxpayer dollars required for construction or operation.

Construction of the actual tunnels is expected to begin in the last quarter of 2025, pending the completion of design and permitting processes. Officials anticipate the first section could open by 2027. The system would use twin tunnels running roughly 30 feet underground to avoid existing utility lines, with major stops evaluated along the route. Design choices include measures to keep the tunnels watertight and to manage potential water ingress through elevated stations and high‑power sump pumps.

Safety features are being developed to meet National Fire Protection Association standards, including gas and smoke detection, a fire suppression system, and robust ventilation. The company notes that Nashville’s hard limestone and geological conditions have been considered and that the equipment planned for use can handle such conditions.

On transparency, The Boring Company has committed to holding public meetings and has established a dedicated email for community questions. A letter from Metro Nashville officials to the company contained more than 70 questions about emergency access, profit projections, and environmental studies, with responses not yet disclosed at the time of the latest update. In response, officials say the project has prompted the release of additional information on the company’s website in an effort to address concerns about transparency and planning around the announcement and ongoing work.

Project management and local oversight

The lease agreement gives the state leverage to ensure progress, while the site continues to be monitored for safety and compliance. State officials emphasize that the site work shown on the ground is a standard step in preparing for the broader tunneling effort. The project is described as privately funded, with a focus on minimizing public disruption and avoiding new taxes, though it remains under ongoing review and discussion with state and federal officials before any boring extends beyond its initial site.