Metro Nashville Council members on Tuesday are expected to advance a resolution formally opposing the construction of the Music City Loop, the tunnel being constructed by Elon Musk’s Boring Company to connect the city’s airport to its downtown, and highlighting the company’s decision to work with Republicans in Tennessee’s state government instead of city leaders.
The proposed resolution outlines the council’s objection to the project based on “lack of transparency, inadequate community and Metropolitan Council engagement, and troubling labor and safety practices,” before revealing the council’s attempts to meet with the Boring Company.
According to the resolution, two committees invited company representatives to present a comprehensive outline of its plans for the Music City Loop, but the company declined, explaining that its “intent was to partner with the state” and that, as a result, it had “no pending legislative ask at the Metro Council.”
The resolution is sponsored by Council Members Delishia Porterfield (At Large), Kyonzte Toombs (District 2), Terry Vo (District 17), Zulfat Suara (At large), Sean Parker (District 5), Ginny Welsch (District 16), Russ Bradford (District 13), Sandy Ewing (District 34), Clay Capp (District 5), and Brenda Gadd (District 24).
It was originally filed in December, but Porterfield told WKRN that the company expressed interest in a meeting, prompting the council to pause the resolution. Porterfield is the resolution’s original sponsor.
“Our committee meeting, again, is on January 20th, and up to this point, there has not been a public meeting with the council prior to this January 20th meeting, so it will go back before the Rules Committee,” said Porter.
She also confirmed to the outlet, “This resolution does not stop the project from moving forward, but what it does do is it allows us to take a position on it.”
The resolution is up for a vote in the Metro Council Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee on Tuesday.
Music City Loop is expected to be finished in 2027, and the Boring Company received approval last month for the Environmental Impact Assessment commissioned before work could begin.
– – –
Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Elon Musk” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 4.0.
.jpg){kind=link}
I recommend that they work on important matters li9ke cutting the outlandish budget and reduce property taxes so someone might be able to afford to live there.
Musk did it this way because every one of those council members would have their hand out. If you will donate this much to my reelection campaign, I will vote to approve the tunnel. Or as one has said, “improve the park in my area, or I will vote no”.
It has nothing to do with the project, and all to do with Musk and his reltionship with Trump. That is all it ever is about, no matter the subject matter.
So once again the Metro Council has it’s feeling hurt due to NOT being asked about something. This is a State project. They only way to get it done is limit the input from Nashville. THEY do not want it if Musk is involved. They can give no other reason. They do want to study and waste money and time till it does not happen.