The Boring Company, owned by Elon Musk, plans to construct an underground tunnel connecting Nashville International Airport (BNA) to downtown Nashville. The exact downtown drop-off location has not yet been announced, but the goal is to bypass surface traffic and deliver a faster route for travelers.
When Will It Be Built?
Governor Bill Lee described the project as a public-private partnership, with The Boring Company covering all construction costs. The company says it can build the tunnel in about two years once construction begins. However, no firm construction start date has been given. Officials have indicated the first section of the loop might open by fall 2026, but that timeline depends on when actual work starts.
How Will It Work?
The planned loop would allow Tesla vehicles to transport passengers between the airport and downtown in 8–10 minutes, running beneath existing traffic congestion. At the project’s launch event at BNA, company president Steve Davis said hiring for the build would begin immediately, with plans to offer at least 50 jobs in the first week.
What Challenges Lie Ahead?
While a similar tunnel in Las Vegas demonstrates that the concept can work, Nashville’s underground conditions are far more complex. The city’s Karst topography — a foundation of soluble limestone prone to caves and sinkholes — poses unique tunneling risks. The hard rock formations will make boring more difficult than in the flat desert terrain of Nevada.
Steve Davis acknowledged the tough geology, calling it “way harder than it should be,” but said the engineering challenges are solvable. Still, some experts and local leaders worry about potential safety and cost implications that have yet to be addressed.
Who Supports It — And Who Doesn’t?
Governor Lee, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and Tennessee’s Republican senators have all endorsed the project, describing it as an innovative private investment that won’t cost taxpayers money. Duffy cited The Boring Company’s high federal safety rating for its Las Vegas tunnel, although that rating relates to operational security, not engineering risks.
However, local officials and Democrats have voiced skepticism. Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell has not taken a public position but said his office has “operational questions” about the impact on the city. Other lawmakers criticized the lack of transparency on the agreement’s details and raised concerns about granting long-term underground rights to a private company.
Notably, State Rep. Justin Jones, whose district includes the airport, was barred from the launch event. He and other critics have labeled the plan a “billion-dollar boondoggle” that primarily benefits the ultra-wealthy.
What’s Next?
While excitement about a faster, futuristic airport commute is high among supporters, key details — including route, cost, and land use terms — remain vague. The Boring Company must finalize engineering plans, secure necessary permits, and address public and political concerns before construction can begin.
For now, the promise is bold: a privately funded, high-speed Tesla tunnel connecting Nashville’s airport to downtown by 2026 — if the engineering, geology, and politics align.
