Salt Lake City Proposes Street Closures for 2027 Temple Open House

Temporary road closures planned to manage crowds and ensure public safety during the historic event.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 8:23pm

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Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall has proposed closing several streets around Temple Square for seven months in 2027 to accommodate the expected 3.6 million visitors during the six-month open house for the newly renovated Salt Lake Temple. The city and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are collaborating on comprehensive safety and security measures to protect visitors while minimizing disruption to the surrounding community.

Why it matters

The Salt Lake Temple open house is a rare and historic event, as the temple has only been open to the public once before, in 1893. The city expects the celebration to draw over 20,000 visitors per day, generating significant economic activity downtown. However, managing such large crowds requires careful planning to ensure public safety.

The details

The proposed street closures include West Temple between North Temple and South Temple, and North Temple between West Temple and Main Street. The city would also implement smaller closures on South Temple, North Temple, and West Temple. The church will lease the roads from the city for $2 million and reimburse additional law enforcement costs. Plans are being developed to mitigate traffic impacts, including park-and-ride facilities and complimentary public transit.

  • The street closures would begin in March 2027 and last through October 2027.
  • The Salt Lake Temple open house is scheduled to run from April 2027 to October 2027.

The players

Erin Mendenhall

The mayor of Salt Lake City who proposed the street closures to manage crowds and ensure public safety during the Temple Reopening Celebration.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The organization hosting the public open house for the newly renovated Salt Lake Temple, which is collaborating with the city on safety and security measures.

Candice Madsen

A spokeswoman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who stated that safety is the top priority for the celebration.

Andrew Wittenberg

A spokesman for the mayor's office, who emphasized Salt Lake City's experience hosting large-scale events and the city's focus on public safety.

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What they’re saying

“Safety is our top priority. We are collaborating with the Salt Lake City Mayor's office, as well as city and state departments to develop comprehensive safety and security measures. These efforts are designed to ensure a memorable experience for visitors while minimizing the impact on the surrounding community.”

— Candice Madsen, Church Spokeswoman

“Utah's capital city is known for welcoming large-scale events — from the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to national festivals and conventions. In every case, Salt Lake City's top priority is public safety, and the Salt Lake Temple Reopening Celebration is no exception.”

— Andrew Wittenberg, Mayor's Spokesman

What’s next

The proposed street closures must be approved by the Salt Lake City Council after a public hearing. If approved, the closures would begin in March 2027 and last through the end of the Temple Reopening Celebration in October 2027.

The takeaway

The planned street closures around Temple Square demonstrate the city and church's commitment to ensuring a safe and memorable experience for the millions of visitors expected during the historic Salt Lake Temple open house. By prioritizing public safety and mitigating traffic impacts, they aim to balance the needs of the celebration with the concerns of the surrounding community.