Alerts Sign-up
The north tower crane that has stood on Temple Square for over four years has been removed, marking a significant step in the ongoing renovation of the Salt Lake Temple. The crane, which reached 270 feet tall, was essential in moving large stones and structural elements during the temple’s restoration.
Mountain Crane workers, subcontracted by Jacobsen Construction, took down the crane between October 27 and 29. The work was done overnight to maintain safety and allow enough space in the limited construction area. City-approved lane restrictions and temporary street closures supported the process.
Jacobsen general foreman Steve Quintana commented on the challenges: “Space is always the biggest problem,” he said, noting how close construction activities are to the temple itself.
On the first day of removal, crews set up an 800-ton crane—taller than the north tower crane—to help with dismantling. Over two days, sections of the north tower crane were carefully taken apart and loaded onto semitrucks for transport. The final day saw removal of the assisting crane as well.
Quintana highlighted what this milestone means for progress: “When the cranes start to come down, this milestone is typically a sign that the heavy and hard-to-reach material is in place,” he said. “It frees up area for more work to be completed.” He also remarked, “I have never been on a project in my 32 years with Jacobsen that a tower crane has stood this long.”
The north tower crane had operated since August 2021, running nearly 18 hours per day across six days each week. Its lifting capacity allowed crews to move loads weighing up to about 35,000 pounds at its base and 10,000 pounds at its tip—enabling placement of materials otherwise impossible to position within tight spaces around the temple addition.
Close coordination between operators and riggers was required throughout operations. Riggers provided visual guidance from ground level to ensure safe movement of all loads.
The south tower crane remains on-site and will stay until spring 2026 as additional work continues.
Elsewhere on Temple Square, crews are building a new accessible entrance on the west side of the Relief Society Building. This includes removing old stairs and plant beds, installing new stairs and an accessible ramp, updating lighting and irrigation systems, and refreshing landscaping. The improvements are expected to be finished by spring 2026.
Visitors can continue accessing several locations on Temple Square while renovations proceed—including Joseph Smith Memorial Building, Salt Lake Tabernacle, Church History Museum, and FamilySearch Library.
Latter-day Saints visit temples for worship experiences such as feeling God’s love and peace; learning about religious teachings; making covenants with God; uniting families through sacred ordinances; among other reasons unique to their faith tradition.
Further details about ongoing renovations or open house plans can be found at TempleSquare.org.
