NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Boring Company has made public responses to questions it received from the Nashville Mayor's Office earlier this year.

In mid-July, the Office of Mayor Freddie O'Connell submitted 78 questions to The Boring Company covering operations, construction and the long-term impacts of the tunnel. On Tuesday, News 2 obtained copies of the company's responses. You can read the responses in full here.

Safety

The questions touch on several key points, including safety and compliance "with any authorities having jurisdiction over life safety procedures." TBC claimed that the tunnels would be equipped with communications infrastructure to support 911 calls and responder transmissions and that the Music City Loop would conduct "weekly emergency response drills" to prepare for "a wide range of scenarios." TBC said that contingency plans for "critical incidents" would be "comprehensive."

In the event of a crash or other roadway enforcement, TBC told the Mayor's Office "[i]nitial response will be handled by Music City Loop security personnel" before notifying outside services "if needed."

News 2's sister station in Las Vegas, Nevada — KLAS — obtained safety procedures for the system in 2021. Those safety procedures included the use of carts to get into the tunnels. The Mayor's Office asked about "pre-positioned ATVs outfitted by the Fire Department" to access tunnels, but TBC did not reference carts or ATVs in their response about Nashville's safety plan.

Further, in a question about expenses related to specialized equipment, TBC said funding for both that specialized equipment and any training or other materials would be "subject to ongoing discussions with relevant stakeholders to determine appropriate cost-sharing arrangements."

When asked about vehicle battery fires, TBC called a vehicle battery ignition an "unlikely event" and said the tunnel would have a ventilation system to redirect smoke and other fumes from the tunnel and help with emergency response.

Aside from safety in emergency situations, TBC also responded to questions about pedestrian safety and flood prevention. TBC called "unauthorized entry" by pedestrians another "unlikely event" and said the tunnel would have rollup gates to secure entrances. Additionally, the Music City Loop's internal security team "will serve as the primary responder for unauthorized access, such as by unhoused individuals."

TBC called the tunnels for the project "watertight," adding that "there are only limited areas where the water can enter the system." If water were to enter the tunnel, TBC said there were pumps to keep water from running into the system.

Cost, Ownership and Oversight

TBC reiterated that the Music City Loop would "be 100% privately funded," noting that the "long-term ownership structure of the tunnel is under review and will be publicly released once finalized." Any land leases or sales at the Nashville International Airport would "follow the airport's procedures" and be approved by the Metro Nashville Airport Authority, per TBC.

"Music City Loop would be responsible for any injury caused by its operations," one response reads, in part, adding that the company's insurance would meet and exceed state requirements.

News 2 sister station KLAS reported that last year, TBC faced more than $100,000 in fines due to safety violations on the Las Vegas Loop project. Twenty workers reportedly sustained chemical burns while working on the project as they walked through what 8 News Now called "a sludge of groundwater, chemicals, grout, concrete, and debris."

Upkeep and maintenance, though, would "be privately funded and subject to the terms of the lease agreement with the state," TBC added. Terms for any fees were also still under discussion, according to the company. Additionally, Music City Loop said they would cover the cost of relocating any utilities and adhere to all required permitting processes to do so.

When it comes to projects, partnerships with various city and state agencies depends on scope, TBC explained. For instance, the Tennessee Department of Transportation would review any construction drawings for road-related work.

Construction and Environmental Impact

"No road closures or detours are anticipated" in the creation of the Music City Loop, one of TBC's responses read, citing construction in Las Vegas that did not impact above-ground activities.

TBC said it would comply with required environmental reviews based on the project's scope and said the company would "comply with regulations regarding the release of preliminary designs, environmental assessments, design, and construction phases."

Last year, the Texas Commission on Environmental Equality cited TBC for what it classified as a major violation for "[f]ailure to obtain authorization prior to constructing a facility that may emit contaminants into the air" in connection with its Austin, Texas Cybertunnel.

As for challenges caused by Tennessee limestone and other underground infrastructure, TBC said "[d]etailed geotechnical investigations and utility surveys are underway" to fully understand and address conditions and possible issues prior to tunneling. TBC called abandonment of the project an "unlikely event," but said performance and payment bonds would cover that.

More

In addition to the responses, News 2 also obtained an email from the Vice President of Business Development for The Boring Company, James M. Fitzgerald, to the Director of Performance Management for the Mayor's Office. In that correspondence, Fitzgerald referenced a "standing offer for an in-person, productive discussion" with "appropriate offices from the City of Nashville."

Fitzgerald also offered a tour of the Las Vegas Loop for "any appropriate members of the Mayor's Office" as well as "Fire Chief Swan." That line is possibly an invitation for William Swann, Director Chief of the Nashville Fire Department.

News 2 reached out to the Mayor's Office for comment and received the following statement:

"We're in the process of reviewing the responses now and expect we will follow up with the Boring Company directly to ask any follow up questions needed to better understand potential impacts of the proposed project on Nashvillians."

To learn more about The Boring Company and Music City Loop, click here.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/tbc-responses-mayors-office-questions/