The tunnel runs under the steep hill adjacent to Buena Vista Park and is used exclusively by the N Judah Muni Metro line.

Bion J. Arnold proposed a Mission–Sunset Tunnel in his Report on the Improvement and Development of the Transportation Facilities of San Francisco of March 1913.

The Mission–Sunset Tunnel would serve as a feeder bringing rail, automobile, and pedestrian traffic from the Panhandle region to the planned Market Street subway.

[2]: 228  It would also improve service to the Sunset District from the Mission and other areas south of Market, as existing routes were circuitous or limited.

[8] Funds for test bores were set aside in June 1922[9] and the City Engineer's report, including detailed plans and estimated costs, were filed three months later in September.

"[11]: 16 The contract for the Sunset Tunnel was awarded on May 10, 1926 for the low bid of US$1,247,592 (equivalent to $21,680,000 in 2023), submitted by the Youdall Construction Company, who broke ground on the project on June 10, 1926.

[13] After the tunnel was nearly complete, a contract was awarded to build the rail line, but work was halted under an injunction that lasted from October 1927 to May 1928.