Temporary Street Closures for 2027 Temple Reopening Celebration

Responsive Margin

What’s being proposed

Salt Lake City is considering a request from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to temporarily close portions of several downtown streets to support the Temple Reopening Celebration.

In consultation with the City’s Transportation Division, Police and Fire Departments, and the Utah Department of Transportation we have determined that the following closures and partial closures will ensure that the event is a safe, and successful event.

Streets that would be fully closed:

North Temple from Main Street to West Temple,
West Temple from North Temple to South Temple

Partial lane closures:

South Temple from Main Street to West Temple, bus lane
North Temple from 200 West to West Temple, all eastbound lanes
West Temple from 200 North to North Temple, one northbound lane

A diagram showing proposed street closures on North Temple, West Temple, and South Temple.

How long will the closures last?

The closures would be in place throughout the Salt Lake Temple Celebration, roughly from March 2027 through October 2027.

Why is the City considering these closures?

The event is expected to bring millions of visitors to Salt Lake City, with an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people per day in the area. Temporarily closing these streets is necessary to manage heavy crowds, reduce traffic congestion, and protect the safety of people walking, biking, and traveling downtown.

Has the City done something like this before?

Yes. Salt Lake City has approved extended street closures for major events in the past, including the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Why is the City allowed to close these roads?

Utah law allows municipalities to temporarily close certain roads when it is necessary to address unsafe conditions. The City believes these closures may be needed to manage unusually high pedestrian volumes during the celebration.

How does this benefit residents?

The closures would help the City reroute traffic, reduce disruption, and keep downtown moving safely during the event. The Church will also lease the closed streets from the City, generating approximately $2.3 million in revenue.

We also expect the influx of visitors to support downtown businesses and the local economy.

Will visitors park in my neighborhood?

The City will monitor parking in surrounding neighborhoods and use existing parking rules and enforcement to help limit spillover where needed.

To reduce the number of cars coming downtown, the Church is offering free UTA transit passes for celebration ticket-holders and free transit for employees, along with park-and-ride options.

These steps are intended to encourage people to use transit instead of driving and to reduce impacts on nearby neighborhoods.

How will I find alternate routes?

The City’s Transportation Division is working closely with event organizers to keep residents and businesses informed, clearly mark detours, and share alternative travel options.