(The Center Square) – It’s been nearly seven months since state officials announced that the Boring Company, founded by Elon Musk, would build a tunnel connecting downtown Nashville to the airport and state and local leaders are still debating its creation and oversight.
The Nashville Metro Council passed a resolution Tuesday opposing the project, which would reduce travel time from the Nashville Metropolitan Airport to downtown to about eight minutes. The project’s cost is being footed by the Boring Company at no taxpayer expense, according to the company and state officials.
Nashville residents and council members said they were left out of the planning for the project. Officials with the Boring Company addressed council members and residents at a Feb. 19 called meeting of the Nashville Metropolitan Council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Councilwoman Delishia Porterfield, who sponsored the resolution, said the meeting left her with more questions.
“Many of us have heard from many of our constituents, and there have been a multitude of issues ranging from environmental concerns, to lack of transparency, to adequate community and council engagement, as well as safety practices, and how this project will support members of the disability community,” Porterfield said.
Councilwoman Olivia Hille said she has been to the construction site a couple of times and wished the issue were not political.
“I’ve met with all the folks, and every question I’ve ever asked has always been answered,” Hill said. “They say that they’ve met with administration and they’ve not had any problem with any department they’ve reached out to. But the reason why we’re here is because this body has a history of opposing things they don’t like from the state.”
The resolution passed 20-15 with two council members abstaining.
Meanwhile, state leaders are moving forward with Senate Bill 2205/House Bill 2450, which creates a new agency to oversee underground transportation projects. The Subterranean Transportation Infrastructure Coordination Authority will cost the state about $5 million annually. The authority would consist of 11 board members and a staff of 20.
“My question is if this project is safe as proponents say it is, why does the Legislature need to create an entirely new authority that bypasses existing regulatory oversight,” Sen. Heidi Campbell asked during the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee on Wednesday.
Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, the bill’s sponsor, said the project has gone through “countless, very lengthy, arduous permitting processes with the Departments of Transportation, Commerce and Insurance.
Sen. Bill Powers, R-Clarksville, said it’s not often that a government gets an offer for something free.
“Do I think it’s going to cost going forward? I do.” Powers said. I think the Boring Company will indeed raise prices or start charging for something. But today, they’re not charging anything, and we’re going to have more transportation operations as a result. If you don’t like it, don’t ride it. It’s pretty easy.”
The bill passed the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee on Wednesday and moves to the Senate Government Operations Committee. The House version of the bill is in the Transportation Committee.
The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication getting comment from the Boring Company.
Gov. Bill Lee announced on Feb. 25 that the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration approved a lease that gives the Boring Company a permit to use state-owned property.
“Tennessee continues to lead the nation in finding innovative solutions to accommodate growth, and in partnership with The Boring Company, we are exploring possibilities we couldn’t achieve on our own,” Lee said.
