Construction to Begin on Proposed Great Triumphal Arch in Washington
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The Trump administration announced that excavation for a 250-foot monument near the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery will start within two weeks, despite legal challenges and concerns over funding and oversight.
The White House announced Thursday that excavation work will begin within the next two weeks for a proposed 250-foot structure, dubbed the Great Triumphal Arch, to be located between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the project will honor American history and the nearby cemetery.
The administration estimates construction costs between $100 million and $250 million, to be financed through a combination of taxpayer funds and private donations. Officials indicated the goal is to complete the monument before the current presidential term ends.
Vietnam War veterans have filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the project, arguing that it lacks congressional approval and would obstruct views of the memorial sites. The administration contends that prior congressional authorization for nearby structures exempts the arch from additional legislative review. A Federal Aviation Administration assessment of the monument’s impact on air traffic has not yet been completed.
Representative Donald S. Beyer Jr., a Democrat from Virginia, criticized the expedited schedule, saying the administration is ignoring potential risks and rushing the project for political reasons.
The proposal follows other recent construction initiatives linked to the administration, including a new White House State Ballroom, which has also faced scrutiny over funding sources and congressional oversight.