Local subcontractor cites unpaid invoices and OSHA complaints after four months on site
The Elon Musk-owned contractor The Boring Co. faces mounting challenges in Nashville after a subcontractor reportedly walked off the $240-million Music City Loop tunnel project over unpaid invoices and safety concerns—just one day after CEO Steve Davis used a Nov. 24 livestream address to highlight worker safety innovations and reassure the community that the project remains on schedule.
The Nashville Banner reported that Shane Trucking and Excavating, a local subcontractor responsible for excavation and fabrication, left the nine-mile tunnel project after more than four months on site. Company owner Willie Shane told the Banner that his firm had received only about 5% of payments owed, leaving him to cover payroll out of pocket. He also raised safety concerns, alleging that crews were instructed to shore deep excavation slopes with wood planks instead of concrete, prompting U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration complaints. Shane added that The Boring Co. personnel also attempted to hire away his welders, in violation of contract terms.
The contractor did not respond to requests for comment.
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The dispute in Nashville comes as The Boring Co. faces scrutiny in other areas. Ars Technica reported in October that the firm was cited for nearly 800 environmental violations in Las Vegas, ranging from improper waste handling to stormwater management failures.
In a Sept. 22 notice obtained by ProPublica, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection said The Boring Co. had violated provisions of its administrative order on consent, instructing the firm “to cease and desist non‑compliant activities, and [demanding] payment of penalties associated with those violations.” One incident described “a direct discharge of water … from The Boring Co. construction site at 4300 Paradise Road” that was photographed by the Las Vegas Valley Water District and prompted the order.
The agency also cited The Boring Co. for inspection failures, stating that its «inspection records reflect that its site inspections were not conducted by an independent Certified Environmental Manager,” as required under a 2022 settlement agreement.
Regulators noted that penalties could have exceeded $3 million if assessed daily under the agreement’s terms, but the total was reduced to $242,800, according to Ars Technica. The notice further documented infractions, including unsecured materials, poor housekeeping, and late or missing discharge monitoring reports.
Despite ongoing challenges, Davis continues to emphasize safety in promoting the Music City Loop, citing a federal Transportation Security Administration review conducted by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security.
“We asked for a full analysis of our safety and security, and they delivered,” Davis said. “The result was the Gold Standard Award—the highest rating possible—covering 17 categories of security and emergency preparedness. We earned the highest score ever recorded for a public transportation system.”
Davis concluded the livestream address detailing plans for at least 20 stations across Nashville, including a proposed two‑mile extension along Broadway and West End Avenue. Stops are slated for Music City Center and Gaylord Opryland, with a potential station at the new Nissan Stadium in the city. The company is maintaining its goal to open in 2027.
