The city might as well string a banner across Main Street reading, "The world is welcome here."
A six-week open house for the Mount Timpanogos Temple is expected to draw more people to this city of 20,000 than the Winter Olympics will bring to Salt Lake City. An estimated 1.5 million visitors are anticipated to tour the LDS Church's 49th temple from Aug. 10 to Sept. 21.The question is, will American Fork be ready?
Officials are trying to put aside a bundle of political problems at City Hall to prepare for the largest event in city history. Mayor Jess Green said he believes the city can pull together to make the temple opening a good experience.
But there's a lot of work to do in the next month, most of it on the streets. City officials and residents are gearing up for beautification projects. Road crews are working feverishly to ensure a smooth ride through town.
While the temple grounds are neat and tidy, roads surrounding the gleaming edifice are a mess. Parts of the main thoroughfares - roads people unfamiliar with American Fork will traverse to the temple - are torn up. A sewer line is going in on 4800 West and 1100 East is being rebuilt.
"Right now, we're not certain what roads are going to be available to us," said police Chief John Durrant.
There's a possibility that 1100 East won't be done before Aug. 10. Reconstruction of the street was held up earlier this year while Utah County and some homeowners argued about the project. Homeowners had to give up parts of their yards for the road to be widened and elevated. And the dispute continues even as the road isbeing built.
"They're a little behind," Utah County engineer Clyde Naylor said of the construction crew. "But I don't think there's any doubt that they'll make it still."
Contractors also assured the city 4800 West would be made passable during the open house.
Durrant would like to think the roads will be ready, but he's making contingency plans nonetheless. The key, he said, is preparation and flexibility.
"I don't care what anybody tells you, you've got to have a plan B," he said.
Police are also planning alternate routes in the event of traffic accidents that gum up the works. Durrant estimates there will be a car arriving and leaving the temple every three seconds.
Officials discussed placing a temporary traffic light at the T-intersection of 1100 East and State Road. The Utah Department of Transportation and the Union Pacific Railroad, however, couldn't agree on right-of-way conditions. Train tracks run parallel to State Road.
"It would be a tremendous help if there was a light there. Now I'll end up putting a warm body there," Durrant said.
A permanent traffic signal was installed this summer at the busy "four corners" intersection in neighboring Highland. The majority of traffic from the north will likely exit I-15 at U-92 and have to cross the intersection on the way to the temple. The light should help coordinate traffic on the highway that will be congested enough to make it look as if Micron Technology is back in business.