The Salt Lake Temple has been closed for renovation since December 2019. The Church Office Building plaza closed for an upgrade in February 2021. The following is the latest in a series of regular updates about these projects.
Over the past month, the Salt Lake Temple has begun “jack and bore,” a major seismic strengthening process in which steel pipes, 3.5 to 4 feet in diameter, are inserted below its existing foundations. The soil is removed from inside the pipe as it is gradually inserted horizontally. Each pipe under the temple towers is 40 feet long, made from two 20-foot-long segments welded together. The soil inside the pipes will initially be removed by hand to ensure the pipes are precisely installed. The gap between the outside surface of the pipe and the surrounding soil is then filled with grout. After the pipes are installed, they will be filled with reinforced steel, including post-tensioning strands, and high-strength concrete. The entire existing foundation of the temple will be supported by 92 such pipes.
Temple Square Renovation Sept 2021
Crews insert a steel pipe below the existing foundation of the Salt Lake Temple as part of a seismic strengthening process called jack and bore, Salt Lake City, Utah, September 2021.© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The first pipe was inserted in late August under the east towers.
Temple Square Renovation Sept 2021
Forty-foot-long pipes are used to strengthen the temple’s foundation against earthquakes, Salt Lake City, Utah, September 2021.© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
Temple Square Renovations Sept 2021
Pipes installed during the jack and bore process are filled with reinforced steel, including post-tensioning strands and high-strength concrete, Salt Lake City, Utah, September 2021.© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
Temple Square Renovations Sept 2021
Construction workers fill the new pipes in the foundation with reinforced steel, Salt Lake City, Utah, September 2021.© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.On the north side of the temple, the excavation has continued past the level of the entrance tunnel. This excavation will provide space for three new underground floors, which will be used as an addition to the temple. The tunnel will connect the Salt Lake Temple to the underground parking garage in the Conference Center to provide safer and easier access to those visiting the sacred edifice.
Temple Square Renovation Sept 2021
Crews excavate past the level of the entrance tunnel on the north side of the temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, September 2021.© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
Temple Square Renovations Sept 2021
Additional excavation creates room for three new levels of the temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, September 2021.© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Two new trusses were installed on the roof of the temple. Three of the eight areas (or bays) have already been completed as part of the truss installation. The roof is closed each time new trusses are installed to protect the interior finishes of the historic building.
Temple Square Renovations Sept 2021
Installation of two new trusses on the roof is completed, Salt Lake City, Utah, September 2021.© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The secant wall that acts as a retaining wall around the temple continues to be excavated to prepare for the three future floors underground and to contain the soil under the temple.
Temple Square Renovations Sept 2021
The secant wall surrounding the temple is uncovered to prepare for the three future floors underground, Salt Lake City, Utah, September 2021.© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
Temple Square Renovations Sept 2021
Members of the renovation team dig to prepare the secant wall for new underground levels that will be added to the temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, September 2021.© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
Temple Square Renovations Sept 2021
Aerial view of Temple Square during its renovation, Salt Lake City, Utah, September 2021.© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.