Plans to dig a network of Tesla tunnels beneath downtown Nashville are running into resistance at City Hall.

On Tuesday night, members of the Metro Council voted to formally document their objections to the proposed underground transit system backed by billionaire Elon Musk. Lawmakers cited worries about safety, environmental risks and what they described as a lack of meaningful involvement from local leaders.

The measure passed 20 to 15, with two abstentions. While the resolution carries no legal force and cannot halt or reshape the project, it serves as a public rebuke. Council members argue that Musk’s tunneling venture, The Boring Company, aligned itself with state officials to sidestep municipal oversight.

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In July, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and The Boring Company unveiled the “Music City Loop,” a tunnel system initially mapped at 13 miles linking Nashville International Airport to the downtown core. The blueprint was later expanded to roughly 25 miles, adding a western extension. Backers say the development will not require taxpayer funding, though it would use certain state-owned land near the Capitol at no cost. The first segment is projected to open in early 2027.

The concept centers on a fleet of Tesla vehicles operating in dedicated tunnels and driven by trained personnel. More than 30 stations are in development, with the possibility of additional routes later. Company representatives say fares should undercut other local transit options. Although the vehicles would initially be human-driven, future autonomous operations remain under consideration.

“Colleagues, public land needs to be for public good and public infrastructure decisions must prioritize the welfare, safety and express needs of Nashville residents,” said Delishia Porterfield, who sponsored the resolution, Tuesday night before the vote.

Not everyone agreed with taking a formal stand. Councilmember John Rutherford, who opposed the resolution, urged peers to separate policy from politics and warned that an official expression of resistance could shut down communication with The Boring Company.

A spokesperson for The Boring Company, according to AP’s report, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The firm already operates a similar Tesla tunnel system in Las Vegas, though its full build-out remains incomplete. It also lists smaller research tunnels, including a Texas test site where autonomous electric pods are envisioned to reach speeds of up to 600 miles per hour. Proposed projects in several other U.S. cities have stalled, while an international tunnel remains on the drawing board in Dubai.

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At the Nashville announcement, company CEO Steve Davis said the city’s traffic challenges and cooperation from state leaders made it an ideal candidate.

“Nashville has been fantastic. Moved at an incredible speed, so welcoming, so kind, so so friendly,” Davis said.

Many local officials and transit advocates, however, said the unveiling caught them off guard. The council’s resolution questions why the city was not “meaningfully” consulted about a significant shift in transportation planning, particularly as Nashville continues implementing projects funded by a 2024 voter-approved transit tax increase.

Geology is another flashpoint. The resolution highlights the region’s porous limestone foundation, which can heighten the risk of sinkholes and complicate water movement. Nashville’s history of severe flooding also factors into the debate.

Last month, representatives from The Boring Company appeared before council members to field questions and listen to public feedback. Residents raised issues ranging from environmental impact and tunnel safety to compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Lindsay Lee, who chairs the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities, said the company offered limited detail on accessibility.

“As far as anyone is aware, they do not manufacture wheelchair-accessible Teslas,” said Lee in an email interview on Wednesday. “Are we supposed to believe that will change in time for the proposed launch one year from now?”

Company executives maintain they are equipped to manage Nashville’s terrain. The Boring Company says it has “a strong track record in safely managing variable ground conditions,” pointing to work completed in Las Vegas. David Buss, vice president for commercial and government affairs, told council members that existing tunnels built by other entities demonstrate Nashville is “a great place to do tunneling.”

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The standoff is not unprecedented in Tennessee. In 2024, Musk’s artificial intelligence venture, xAI, launched a data center in Memphis powered in part by gas turbines before securing the necessary air permit, sparking protests from residents at city meetings.