Tennessee cities among finalists in contest for mile-long Boring Co. tunnel

Construction is seen for the Music City Loop, an underground tunnel by Elon Musk's The Boring Co., in Nashville in January. The company launched a contest in January 2026 for a one-mile tunnel on the company's dime. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File) Construction is seen for the Music City Loop, an underground tunnel by Elon Musk's The Boring Co., in Nashville in January. The company launched a contest in January 2026 for a one-mile tunnel on the company's dime. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

By Cassandra Stephenson / Tennessee Lookout March 4, 2026 5 min read

Three Tennessee cities are among 16 finalists vying to be selected by The Boring Co. for a mile-long tunnel constructed on the company’s dime.

The company announced its Tunnel Vision Challenge in January, calling for proposals for tunnels that solve problems. The Boring Co. will select a winner and build the tunnel “free of charge,” according to its website.

Tunnel submissions could be for freight, pedestrians, water, utilities or Loop — a transportation tunnel used exclusively by Tesla vehicles to transport passengers for a fee.

The company received 487 entries and will announce a winner on March 23, according to a post on its X account.