State gives OK to Boring Company to use parking lot for Nashville tunnel project

Context: The Boring Company won't owe the state any money under the terms of the lease. The company agreed to restore the parking lot and return it to the state in a little under two years.

• State leaders who back the deal hope the tunnel connecting downtown to the airport is completed by then.
• According to meeting documents, the company will launch its boring machine to and from the state parking lot.
• The company agreed that if it doesn't complete the tunnel or restore the parking lot, it will offer the government a line of credit, which the state can access to pay its expenses.

Yes, but: The underground tunnel is accumulating skeptics before the digging even begins, including state lawmakers from Nashville who questioned the lease and other aspects of the deal during the public comment portion of Thursday's meeting.

• State Sens. Charlane Oliver and Heidi Campbell were among the officials in attendance opposed to the deal.
• The project will need other state approvals before its completion.