Salt Lake City Temple renovation update: north tower crane removed

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — After nearly four years, the north tower crane that has been used in renovating the Salt Lake City Temple was removed, meaning that the temple renovation project is one step closer to completion.

The Salt Lake City Temple has been closed since 2019 for a massive renovation project in order to reinforce the structure of the temple and complete seismic upgrades, as well as add additional languages and improve accessibility for those with limited mobility.

Between Oct. 27 and 29, workers with Mountain Crane, a subcontractor for Jacobsen Construction, removed the 270-foot-tall crane. According to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they worked through the night to ensure safety and make sure there was adequate space, as the construction area close to the temple is small.

Salt Lake City temporarily closed lanes and some streets near Temple Square in order to support the removal.

The north tower crane was used to lift and place large stones, structural components, and mechanical systems for the north addition to the temple, and it has operated six days a week since its installation in August 2021. On most days, it was in active operation for nearly 18 hours.

In order to remove the crane, they had to temporarily install a large, 800-ton crane (taller than the tower crane), and the north tower crane was carefully dismantled over two days.

The other tower crane on site, the south tower crane, will remain in place until Spring 2026.

The renovation project was announced by President Russell M. Nelson in April 2019. The Salt Lake City Temple is a historic building that was dedicated in 1893, and it is an extremely significant House of the Lord for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.