Nashville councilor files resolution opposing Elon Musk tunnel
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Metro Council Member Delishia Porterfield introduced legislation expressing opposition to the Boring Company's proposed Music City Loop.
Why it matters: The proposal could be a public relations hit for Elon Musk's Boring Company, even as it works behind the scenes with city officials to advance its tunnel project.
Driving the news: Porterfield filed the legislation as a memorializing resolution, meaning it is a symbolic vote. She criticized the Boring Company's "lack of transparency and troubling labor and safety practices."
- Metro Council does not need to sign off on the project at this stage, but some city agencies must approve permits related to certain aspects, like emergency vehicle access.
- The resolution will be considered at next week's council meeting.
What she's saying: "To be clear, if passed, this resolution doesn't stop the tunnel," Porterfield said on Bluesky. "The Metro Council doesn't have that authority — but it allows us to take a position & let our constituents know that we not only hear them, but share in their concerns."
State of play: The Boring Company introduced its plans to build a tunnel connecting downtown to the airport earlier this year. Riders would pay a fee to travel by a Tesla taxi, driven by a human, through an underground tunnel.
- The company is interested in adding other tunnels connecting to major employers, universities and tourist destinations.
- Although the company has not held formal meetings with Metro Council, it has met individually with some council members and given presentations at the Airport Authority and Convention Center Authority board meetings. The Boring Company uses its blog to answer questions and provide updates about the project.
The other side: "As stakeholder engagement continues, the Music City Loop project is receiving broad support from state, city, and industry leaders due to its ability to modernize the downtown travel experience and accommodate for growth," Gov. Bill Lee spokesperson Elizabeth Johnson said in a statement.
- Leaders at the airport, the Music City Center conventional hall and the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce have expressed support for the proposal.