Construction on the renovation and seismic retrofit of the iconic Salt Lake Temple continues at a deliberate and measured pace. However, when working with historic structures such as this pioneer-era temple, unexpected challenges are inevitable.
Regarding the previously announced 2025 completion date, Church leadership — in connection with project consultants and the general contractor working on the project — currently estimate completion of the project in 2026. Construction milestones will continue to be shared periodically, with a final completion date and temple open house schedule to be determined and shared as soon as feasible.
A new milestone was reached with the seismic upgrade for the temple on March 7, 2023. Crews poured concrete for the footing of the first base isolator underneath the temple, an important step for the base isolation system. The installation of the first base isolator is anticipated in April.
A working concrete slab now surrounds the entire perimeter of the temple to provide a clean and level surface for crews. Iron workers will use this surface to assemble reinforced steel cages, which will eventually be encased in concrete to become new footings along the existing foundations of the temple both inside and outside. Once completed, base isolators will rest on this new foundation.
The depth of the excavation from the former sidewalk around the Salt Lake Temple to the newly laid working slab is 35 feet (10.6 meters).
Projects continue on the northwest corner of Temple Square where the North Visitors’ Center previously stood. This area is expected to be complete in early fall 2023.
When this project is complete, work will then begin on the southwest corner of Temple Square. The Assembly Hall and surrounding gardens and facilities will be closed as crews remove the restroom buildings and portions of the wall. Crews will also update the landscaping. It is anticipated this area will be closed for a year. Additional information on how to access Temple Square with this closure will be updated as the northwest corner opens.
As announced in November 2022, the Lion House is closed for renovation while the Beehive House is scheduled to close on April 8, 2023.
This is an official press release re-published by LDSDaily.com from Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
