A new tunnel under North Temple street, the discovery of pioneer craftsman nails and the removal and cleaning of stones from the temple wall are among the latest activities taking place with the Salt Lake Temple renovation project.
Here are latest details and photos showing the changes for May 2021, according to the church’s Newsroom.
Tunnel under North Temple street
Crews recently reached the end of a new 180-foot-long (55 meters) tunnel underneath North Temple street. The tunnel is designed to connect the Conference Center parking lot to a new underground temple entrance. Crews will remove a concrete wall that leads into the Conference Center parking structure in the future.
Crews have reached the end of a new tunnel underneath North Temple street that will connect the Conference Center parking lot to the new underground temple entrance.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
After creating a tunnel under North Temple street, the final work of removing a concrete wall that leads into the Conference Center parking structure will be done in the future.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Pioneer nails
Crew members have discovered several square-headed nails during the renovation process. The nails, some as long as six inches (15 centimeters), offer a glimpse back at the workmanship and materials used to build the Salt Lake Temple. The nails show very little corrosion.
Crew members have found several square-headed nails during the renovation process.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church Office Building plaza
Earlier this year the church launched the first stage of a project to upgrade the landscaping and improve the Church Office Building plaza.
Recently crews have used conveyor belts to move soil and debris to a truck loading location.
This photo shows crews using conveyor belts to move soil and debris to a truck loading location.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Scaffolding
Workers have began placing scaffolding on the north and west sides of the temple. Scaffolding eventually will surround the entire structure.
Workers recently began placing scaffolding on the west and north sides of the Salt Lake Temple.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Repairing and cleaning stones
Another project has involved crews removing rows of stones from the temple walls for cleaning and repairs.
Crews have removed rows of stones from the temple walls for repair and cleaning. Each stone is carefully labeled and will be returned to its original spot.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Workers carefully label each stone before returning it to its original place when ready.
Each stone is carefully labeled and will be returned to its original spot.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Washing bay
The Salt Lake Temple renovation site has a truck washing bay to help keep Salt Lake City clean. Each vehicle exiting the temple renovation site onto South Temple street — with wheels, mud flaps, axles and other dirty parts — is thoroughly sprayed.
Each vehicle leaving the renovation site is sprayed down in a washing bay.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Salt Lake Temple renovation
The May 2021 update comes more than two years after President Russell M. Nelson announced major renovation plans for the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Salt Lake Temple closed, and renovation commenced, in December 2019.
The church summarized the progress of the first year in December 2020. The renovation is expected to last four years.
For more information the Salt Lake Temple renovation, visit templesquare.org or ChurchofJesusChrist.org.