A Metro Council member has filed a new measure formally opposing The Boring Company’s proposed “Music City Loop,” a tunnel project pitched as a high-speed transit connection between downtown Nashville and Nashville International Airport. The filing comes after weeks of growing community concern, unanswered questions, and repeated requests for more public information about the project.
Council Member Delishia Porterfield introduced the measure, saying residents deserve transparency before any major infrastructure project involving public land moves forward.
Why the council is pushing back
The filing outlines several concerns about the tunnel proposal, including:
Lack of transparency from The Boring CompanyMinimal community and Council engagementUnanswered questions about environmental, geological, and safety impactsLabor and contractor-related issues raised by workers and subcontractorsUnclear long-term risks if the project is delayed, altered, or abandoned
According to the measure, Council members twice requested a formal public briefing from The Boring Company to explain the project, safety plans, environmental studies, construction timelines, and potential costs. Both requests were declined.
Instead, CEO Steve Davis addressed the topic on social media, claiming there was “overwhelming support” for the tunnel — a statement Porterfield says contradicts what she is hearing directly from residents.
Labor and safety questions add pressure
The filing also references labor concerns reported by subcontractors, including late payments, missing safety personnel, and inadequate protective equipment. It notes similar issues documented in The Boring Company’s past tunneling operations in other cities.
Council members say these reported problems add to existing worries about whether the company can safely operate beneath Nashville’s limestone geology and flood-prone areas — conditions that require extensive engineering review.
What the council’s action actually means
The measure does not give the Metro Council power to stop the project.
Instead, it formally states:
The Council opposes the project as presented.The Council believes public land and public infrastructure decisions must prioritize Nashville residents’ safety and needs.The Boring Company should release full safety, environmental, fiscal, and geological studies for independent review.The company should participate in a public briefing with the full Council, not select individual members.Any project using public land must undergo rigorous evaluation and community engagement before moving forward.
Porterfield says the measure allows the Council to take a clear position and reassure residents that their concerns are being taken seriously.
What happens next
The filing is scheduled to be heard at the December 16 Metro Council meeting.
If adopted, it would officially put the Council on record with its stance — adding political pressure, but not legally blocking the project.
The Boring Company has not yet issued a response to the filing.
