Federal excavation to begin on Trump-backed 250-foot arch near Washington, D.C.
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The Interior Department announced that excavation for a 250-foot granite arch across the Potomac River will start within weeks, with construction expected to last two to three years amid legal challenges and criticism from preservation groups.
The U.S. Department of the Interior said on Thursday that excavation for a 250-foot-tall triumphal arch will commence within the next two weeks on a traffic circle near Arlington Memorial Cemetery, across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial. The National Park Service indicated that the work will proceed 20 hours a day, year-round, and could be completed toward the end of President Trump’s second term.
The granite-clad structure, planned to include three golden statues and an observation deck, is intended to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burger posted on X that the arch will be "one of the great pieces of American architecture, honoring the history and significance of Arlington Cemetery and befitting the most powerful capital in the world."
The project is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to modify several prominent sites in the capital, including the White House campus and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. President Trump has personally promoted the design, noting that he chose the largest of three proposed sizes.
Democratic lawmakers, preservation organizations, and veterans’ groups have voiced opposition, citing concerns that the arch’s height—more than twice that of the Lincoln Memorial—could obstruct sightlines between monuments and affect the nearby Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport. A veterans’ group filed a lawsuit alleging the project lacks congressional authorization; the Justice Department has asked a judge to dismiss the case, which remains pending.
Two advisory panels composed of Trump appointees have endorsed the project. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts gave final approval in May, and the National Capital Planning Commission issued preliminary approval in July, requesting certain design modifications. The Federal Aviation Administration continues to assess the arch’s impact on regional airspace and is collecting public comments, noting that earlier studies found no adverse effect on the airport but that the structure would require red obstruction lights.