From the Top of the Temple to 65 Feet Underground, the Renovation of Temple Square Continues

Renovations for the historic Temple Square in Salt Lake City is now in its 20th month. Following the announcement made by Church President Russell M. Nelson in 2019, the Salt Lake Temple along with other areas in the vicinity have undergone major structural and seismic renovations for the space of four years.

The video and photos below give a glimpse of the past three months of work in this years-long project. This includes the reinforcement of the Salt Lake Temple roof, the continued renovation of the Church Office Building Plaza to the east and additional excavation on the north side of the temple.

Roof Reinforcement

In May, crews began adding replacement steel trusses to the temple roof as part of the seismic reinforcement of the temple. The new trusses are erected one by one to control the exposure of the existing roof.

“On a typical project, we would open up the entire structure, and we would do all the new trusses at the same time,” said Josh Fajardo, a superintendent with Jacobsen Construction Company. “But because we have historic finishes that are remaining inside the temple that have to be protected, we have to do it one at a time.”

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Each new truss weighs about 35,000 pounds (15 metric tons) and is 90 feet (27.4 meters) long. Cross bracing is installed to provide lateral bracing. Gusset brackets, nuts and bolts secure the steel structures instead of welding to prevent fire hazard. The sturdy framework will also reinforce the attic, where new mechanical equipment is being installed.

“The roof structure is so critical for this project,” Fajardo said. “You have all the historic finishes inside the building that you’re trying to preserve. And starting from the top down, you need to have that good support and protection.”

Church Office Building Plaza

The Church Office Building Plaza closed for an upgrade in February 2021. Crews are now repairing damaged concrete that delaminated from years of leaking water. The work is being done in 12-foot-wide strips that have been ground down two-and-a-half inches deep before a special concrete mix is applied that adheres to the existing concrete. The plaza will then be waterproofed to prevent leaking in the underground parking garage directly below.

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“Because it was built in the ‘60s, all of the waterproofing that was used is full of asbestos — that was the thing back then,” said Paul Shingleton, a Jacobsen project manager of the plaza renovation. “And so in part of the removal process, we had to use a special company to remove all of the asbestos-laden waterproofing from the top of the roof deck.”

When repairs are complete, new landscaping will enhance and beautify the view of the temple.

“If you’re standing on State Street, looking [west] toward the temple, the design will direct your vision right to the temple,” Shingleton said.

North Crane Foundation Laid

In early August, the north crane foundation was poured using 350 cubic yards or 267 cubic meters of concrete. This will allow for a second tower crane to be built that will be 250 feet or 83 meters in height.

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Additional Excavation on the North Side of the Temple

Excavation has reached 45 feet below street level on the north side of the Salt Lake Temple. Twenty more feet of soil will be removed before construction begins on the three-level underground north addition. These facilities will include the baptismal fonts, additional sealing rooms, dressing rooms, administrative offices and so forth.

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A secant wall comprised of rows of interlocking concrete and steel columns shores up the temple foundation for excavation. Beams (known as walers) attached to the wall keep soil in place by fastening long tension cables deep into the earth with grout.

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“High profile jobs like this that are centerpieces for organizations — and especially organizations that do as much good as this Church does across the entire world — are just some of my favorite projects to be on,” said Errold Tuley, a Jacobsen general foreman working on the plaza renovation. “When this project is finished, it is going to be spectacular. The site work that is on this project is just incredible. The design work, the craftsmanship and research that is going into it is going to make the temple beautiful.”