Rep. Justin Jones was denied entry into the recent announcement event for the Music City Loop, a private partnership with Elon Musk’s Boring Company. The project, set to connect downtown Nashville to the Convention Center and BNA Airport via underground tunnels, is privately funded at “zero cost” to taxpayers.
Jones stated that he was excluded from the event despite being hosted by the state, citing it as an “egregious abuse of power.” He claims the governor and corporate lobbyists chose a private party over public accountability. The project has raised concerns among lawmakers, including Tennessee House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons, Senator Heidi Campbell, and Rep. Aftyn Behn.
The Boring Company plans to begin construction immediately following approval, with the first segment expected to be operational by fall 2026. Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell released a statement expressing operational questions about the project’s potential impacts on the city.
Opposition to the project is rooted in concerns over workplace safety laws and water quality violations by the Boring Company. Local residents will bear the costs of this “vanity project,” which critics argue neglects public services and infrastructure needs for working-class people. Several delegates plan to send a formal letter to the TNECD Commissioner demanding full transparency about state incentives for the project.
Source: https://www.wsmv.com/2025/07/29/rep-justin-jones-denied-entry-into-music-city-loop-announcement-event