This motivation was further advocated by Sutro after the Yellowjacket mine disaster where dozens of miners were burned to death because they could not escape.

Arthur De Wint Foote worked on the tunnel in 1873, but was fired in 1874, having struck a flood of water in Shaft No.

However, he stayed on as a board member and moved to San Francisco, later becoming mayor, building the Sutro Baths and much more.

The goal of the project is to not only preserve the site's historical integrity, but to also make it safe and accessible for visitors.

Phase One of the project is currently underway with the focus being on rebuilding the tunnel, ongoing site cleanup, and protecting remaining structures from further deterioration.