Elon Musk’s Boring Company has never been a stranger to controversy, but its latest venture—the Music City Loop in Nashville—has thrust the company into the national spotlight for reasons that go far beyond mere engineering marvels. With shovels already in the ground and tunnel boring machines humming beneath Tennessee’s capital, the project is moving forward at a breakneck pace. Yet, it’s doing so without the traditional blessing of city officials, raising eyebrows, questions, and, for some, hopes for a transportation revolution.
According to reporting by The Tennessean and details confirmed by multiple sources, the Boring Company launched the Music City Loop project without traditional city approval as of October 22, 2025. This move, while bold, is hardly surprising to those who have followed Musk’s penchant for disruption. The project, which is privately funded, aims to connect downtown Nashville with Nashville International Airport via two one-way 9.8-mile tunnels. The company’s goal? To cut the travel time between these two bustling hubs to just eight minutes, using advanced and remarkably quiet tunnel boring technology.
It’s a vision that seems straight out of science fiction: commuters and travelers whisked from the heart of Music City to the airport in less time than it takes to finish a cup of coffee. The inspiration comes directly from the Boring Company’s experience in Las Vegas, where the Vegas Loop has been shuttling passengers through neon-lit tunnels beneath the Las Vegas Convention Center for the past four years. There, over two million riders have zipped between stations in Teslas, often with wait times of less than 10 seconds.
But while the Vegas Loop serves as a proof of concept for what Nashville might expect, the Music City Loop comes with its own unique set of challenges—and, critics argue, a lack of transparency. The absence of traditional city approval means that the project has moved ahead with little government oversight, sparking heated debates about governance and accountability. As of late October 2025, these concerns remain front and center for many Nashville residents and lawmakers, especially those who recall the city’s previous struggles with underground transit proposals.
Questions abound. How did the Boring Company manage to break ground without city hall’s formal blessing? What mechanisms—if any—are in place to ensure public safety and regulatory compliance? And perhaps most importantly: what does this mean for the future of infrastructure projects not just in Nashville, but across the country?
For its part, the Boring Company points to the success of the Vegas Loop as evidence that its approach can work. In Las Vegas, the Loop system primarily serves convention attendees and tourists, shuttling them in Teslas through a network of tunnels stretching just under five miles. Rides cost between $4 and $12, and the stations are typically empty even during peak hours, a testament to the system’s efficiency. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, passenger reviews are widely positive, with many riders praising the convenience and novelty of the experience.
“We’re proud to be part of what we think is a transportation alternative that can matter to other cities,” said Steve Hill, President and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, in a statement shared by The Tennessean. “We’re happy to show others what The Boring Co. has done here and explain how we went about it.”
Security and logistics have not been without hiccups. The Vegas Loop has experienced occasional delays due to security measures and unauthorized entry attempts. Security gates at every entrance and exit are designed to prevent unsanctioned access, but there have been incidents involving non-Loop vehicles and pedestrians. When emergencies arise, drivers are trained to reverse their cars through the tunnels—a maneuver that, while effective, can cause temporary congestion and confusion.
Despite these challenges, the Vegas Loop has won over many of its users, particularly among the convention crowd. “It was very convenient, super easy and cheaper than Uber,” said Joe Shellberg, an attendee at a recent Las Vegas convention. Another rider, Natalie Farell, remarked, “It’s like a rabbit hole. The biggest difference is the amount of time. You just get in and pop up where you want to be.”
Yet, not everyone is convinced. Some Las Vegas locals and ride-hailing drivers note that the system is geared toward tourists and conference-goers rather than everyday residents. “It’s for Tesla enthusiasts and conference center people,” said Zeeshan Khan, a local driver. “Regular people aren’t using that.”
In Nashville, skepticism is just as palpable. When the Boring Company announced in July 2025 its intention to bring the hyperloop concept to Music City, some residents and lawmakers immediately questioned the feasibility. After all, Nashville has long been considered a challenging environment for underground transit due to its geological makeup and regulatory landscape.
Still, local business leaders and officials have voiced support for the project, seeing it as an opportunity to put Nashville on the map as a transportation innovator. The city’s booming tourism and convention industries, not to mention its notorious traffic congestion, make the promise of a high-speed underground link all the more tantalizing. The hope is that, by 2027, the Music City Loop will be fully operational, providing a fast and efficient alternative to traditional road travel between the airport and downtown.
Of course, the project’s private funding model is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it allows for rapid progress without the bureaucratic delays that often plague public infrastructure projects. On the other, it leaves many wondering about the long-term implications for public oversight and accountability. With little government involvement, who will ensure that the system is safe, equitable, and responsive to the needs of all Nashvillians?
The future of the Music City Loop—and indeed, the future of privately funded public transit—remains uncertain. What’s clear is that Nashville is now at the forefront of a grand experiment, one that could reshape not only how people move around the city, but how cities across America approach transportation innovation. Whether the project ultimately delivers on its promises or becomes a cautionary tale, it’s a story that everyone will be watching closely.
For now, as tunnel boring machines continue their quiet work beneath Nashville’s streets, the city finds itself at a crossroads. Will the Music City Loop become a model for the future, or a reminder of the risks that come with unchecked ambition? Only time—and the people of Nashville—will decide.
