Elon Musk’s The Boring Company answered some key questions about the Music City Loop’s design, safety features and operations.
The Aug. 10 announcement marks the first publicly available deep dive into the Nashville tunnel project from the company itself, providing insight into everything from engineering details to potential city partnerships.
“TBC is committed to maximum transparency on this project and is open to ideas,” the company wrote.
The company offered up a Nashville-specific email, [email protected], for questions and asked representatives from local organizations and schools to reach out. The Boring Co. also plans to host numerous community events and meetings to engage those interested in learning more.
"Music City Loop will be a cutting-edge, zero-emission underground transit system connecting downtown Nashville and Music City Center to Nashville International Airport (BNA)," the company stated. "Spanning almost 10 miles, it will take approximately 9 minutes to travel from BNA to downtown Nashville."
Nashville was chosen because "it is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States," the company said. Music City's traffic congestion, large tourist crowds, workforce, economic momentum and the 2024 voter-approved transit referendum also contributed to the decision.
What will be the Music City Loop's route?
The proposed 9.5-mile tunnel route would stretch from the Tennessee State Capitol down 8th Ave S., follow Highway 41 which turns into Murfreesboro Pike, then veer left below Donelson Pike before reaching the Nashville International Airport.
What stops will Music City Loop make?
The Music City Loop would connect Nashville International Airport with the Tennessee State Capitol. A stop at Music City Center is also expected to be considered by MCC's Convention Center Authority. The company could add a third station on the bottom level of MCC's parking garage.
Passengers would purchase tickets online, including with a QR code available at stations. Wait times, the company said, would be "zero-to-minimal."
How many Nashville Boring Co. tunnels will there be?
There are plans for two “twin” 9.5-mile tunnels running side-by-side “to and from” Nashville International Airport and downtown during the company’s initial phase, according to the Boring Co.
When will Music City Loop construction begin and end?
While The Boring Co.'s Nashville tunnel project is in the design phase, construction staging has begun in the Tennessee State Capitol's parking lot.
The State Building Commission approved July 31 a rent-free lease of a parking lot parcel to Boring Co. to launch a tunnel-boring machine. The site is at 637 Rosa L. Parks Blvd.
The company wrote that it "will work to establish at least 3 additional launch sites" along the route.
The Music City Loop will be complete in the spring of 2026, the company said. The free lease ends in 2027.
Additionally, the company said it will begin reaching out to local property owners and businesses to establish future Loop station locations.
Will Boring Co.'s Nashville tunnel be safe?
The Music City Loop won't pose electrical risks like a subway's third rail, the company said.
The tunnel will include fire suppression and ventilation systems. The track will also be designed to meet or exceed the National Fire Protection Association’s fire and life safety standards.
Loop drivers will undergo “extensive initial and ongoing training," that includes joint drills conducted directly with fire and police departments. The tunnel will also implement dedicated emergency response capabilities and a communication system exclusively for first responders, Boring Co. said.
"Tunnels are equipped with direct communications to a 24/7 staffed Operations Control Center via Blue Light Stations, LTE cell service, and secured WiFi links, as well as an emergency communications system tailored for police and fire departments," the company stated, adding that it uses comprehensive surveillance camera coverage.
In Las Vegas, first responders use ATVs inside The Vegas Loop.
It’s unclear whether the Metro Nashville Police Department or the Tennessee Highway Patrol will carry the responsibility for responding to traffic incidents.
Where else has The Boring Co. built tunnels?
The Vegas Loop is The Boring Co.’s first and only project that’s available to the public.
But The Boring Co. operates a research and development tunnel alongside a Hyperloop test track in Bastrop, Texas.
In California, it maintains two additional research-and-development tunnels, while in Dubai, it's engineering a 10.6-mile tunnel system designed to push the boundaries of high-speed underground transport.
What Tesla vehicles will be used in Boring Co.'s Nashville tunnel?
Unlike traditional public transportation systems that rely on large vehicles to carry passengers, The Music City Loop will use Teslas to ensure “a private and comfortable experience,” according to the website.
Unless passengers choose to share a vehicle with others, parties of up to five people will be able to ride directly to their destination without stopping at stations along the way. While the tunnels aim to reduce travel time from “origin station to the destination,” the Boring Co. said during high travel times a Tesla may not be the best option.
“There are some scenarios, such as to a stadium on game days, where higher occupancy vehicles may be used."
Tesla Model Ys and Model Xs will primarily move travelers through the tunnels.
Tesla vehicles will recharge at The Boring Co.’s maintenance centers, which will be positioned along the tunnel. By linking the tunnel directly to these centers, the company said its vehicles won’t travel on public roads.
Will Music City Loop use autonomous Tesla vehicles?
Tesla models X and Y will make up the fleet of vehicles transporting Music City Loop passengers when it opens next year, company officials said. They will reach speeds of 70 miles per hour.
But Boring Co. aims to ultimately expand the Music City Loop into a fully autonomous transit system.
"TBC will explore interest from Nashvillians and local officials to introduce autonomous vehicles in the future, always with a mind towards creating the safest system possible," the company stated. "In all cases, the vehicles will be connected through redundant communications paths to the Operations Control Center at all times."
Could The Boring Co.'s Nashville tunnel flood?
While The Vegas Loop operates almost exclusively below the water table, The Boring Co. tunnels are sealed with segment joints and three-inch-thick grout outside the tunnel.
The stations are the only place that water can enter the tunnel, The Boring Co. said. But those weaknesses are mitigated with elevated barriers and drains with pumps.
"If water does enter the system the tunnels have redundant high-power sump pumps to exit any water,” the company wrote. "And in the unlikely event that the tunnels do experience large amounts of water, this does not present an electrical hazard, as it would in a subway or tram system with an electrified third rail."
Who will drive Music City Loop Teslas?
At first, Teslas in the Music City Loop will be operated by drivers.
The company said it would have conversations with residents and local leaders about moving to autonomous vehicles in the future.
"Trained drivers, referred to as Loop drivers, will operate the vehicles to enhance the passenger experience and provide an additional layer of safety, ensuring a personalized and secure ride," the company stated.
Will Music City Loop really be built? Haven't other Boring Co. projects stalled?
In response why similar proposed tunnel projects like one in Chicago did not move forward, The Boring Co. said it “regularly engages” with cities around the world to find the best fit for its next project.
“Informal conversation or preliminary design studies are quite common,” the company wrote. Cities are chosen for Boring Co. projects based on "project utility, community support, political support, regulatory landscape, and technical feasibility.
"In Nashville, all the boxes were checked, allowing TBC to feel confident in making such a large private investment."
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Boring Co. answers Nashville tunnel questions: What to know
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