PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — Mountain Mile (www.mountainmilepigeonforge.com),a premier mixed-use development in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, announced today that its “Smokies Loop” proposal has been selected as one of 16 finalists inThe Boring Company’s inaugural Tunnel Vision Challenge. The submission was chosen from 487 applications representing cities and developments across theUnited States, landing in the top 3% of applicants.
MountainMile’s proposal envisions an underground Loop tunnel connecting the development to some of the largest attractions in the area, as well as a larger vision connecting the cities of Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and possibly Sevierville.The winning project will receive a tunnel (or portion thereof) constructed byThe Boring Company— a prize valued at tens of millions of dollars.
“Being named a finalist in a competition of this caliber reflects the genuine viability of our proposal and the transportation challenges in the Smokies,” said Dixon Greenwood, one of the developers of The Mountain Mile. “Over 20 million people visit Sevier County each year, and gridlock on the Parkway is a real issue — for visitors, for workers, and for businesses. The Smokies Loop is designed to change the way this region moves.”
The BoringCompany was founded with a singular mission: to solve urban and regional traffic congestion through the development of safe, fast, and low-cost tunneling technology. Founded by Elon Musk, the company pioneered the “Loop”system — a network of underground tunnels through which all-electric vehicles bypass surface congestion entirely. The company’s flagship project, the LasVegas Loop, serves the Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding resorts, having transported millions of passengers since opening. The company has active projects underway in multiple cities across the United States, most notablyNashville.
The Tunnel Vision Challenge isThe Boring Company’s open, nationwide competition inviting cities, developments, and communities to submit proposals for transformative tunnel projects that would meaningfully improve transportation in their regions. From487 submissions, the company identified just 16 finalists — representing the most compelling infrastructure opportunities across the country. The winning project will receive one of the most significant infrastructure prizes ever offered to an American community. The winner is slated to be announced on March23, 2026.
MountainMile’s Smokies Loop proposes an underground Loop tunnel originating at theMountain Mile “hub” in the heart of Pigeon Forge amidst a large retail and entertainment development, surrounded by The Island, Cal Ripken Baseball, and the LeConte Center (PF’s convention facility). There are over 5,000 parking spaces, 4,000+ hotel rooms, and 1+ million square feet of retail, restaurants, and entertainment all within walking distance. The tunnel would connect to some of the largest attractions in the region, and eventually connect various municipalities within Sevier County. The tunnel would carry passengers in all-electric vehicles through a purpose-built tunnel beneath the surface, reducing what can be an hour-plus journey during peak season to a matter of minutes. The proposed project has the support of Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, and the Sevier County Economic Development Council.
The GreatSmoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the UnitedStates. Sevier County welcomes more than 21 million visitors annually, and theParkway — a single-corridor, 7-mile arterial road connecting Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg — regularly experiences gridlock throughout the year. The congestion affects not only the visitor experience but also local workforce mobility and regional economic growth.
MountainMile’s proposed hub site brings a unique combination of scale, infrastructure readiness, and development momentum that positions the Smokies Loop as a fast-track candidate for rapid deployment.
“Sevier County has always been a place where big ideas become reality,” addedGreenwood. “We’re proud to represent this region on a national stage, and we’re confident the Smokies Loop is exactly the kind of transformative project TheBoring Company was built to deliver.”
Tennessee placed three projects among the 16 finalists — more than any other state in the country:
The Boring Company will announce the winning project on or about March 23, 2026. In the meantime, Mountain Mile is actively engaging with local stakeholders, community partners, and regional leaders to build support for the Smokies Loop. The proposal has already been met with enthusiasm from key leaders in Sevier County, whose early support reflects the region’s shared commitment to solving its long-standing transportation challenges. Additional details about the proposal and MountainMile’s vision for the region will be shared in the coming weeks.
Mountain Mile is a premier mixed-use development located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at the gateway to theGreat Smoky Mountains National Park. The development combines retail, entertainment, and hospitality offerings across more than 174 acres to serve theregion’s millions of annual visitors. For more information, visit www.mountainmilepigeonforge.com
.png)
