By Basant El-Faramawy
The U.S. Justice Department said Tuesday that Donald Trump's proposed 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington would not be completed until after the end of his second term.
Construction timeline
If approved, initial excavation and foundation work could begin as soon as Thursday, with above-ground construction starting no earlier than May 2027. Total construction is estimated to take 33 to 39 months.
Location and approvals
The arch, modeled on Paris's Arc de Triomphe, is planned near Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington. The National Capital Planning Commission is set to meet Thursday to approve the project, and the Interior Department may issue a final decision the same day. The National Park Service may also issue a permit.
Legal challenges
The project faces significant opposition. Virginia and the District of Columbia sued the National Park Service and Interior Department on Saturday, seeking to halt construction, calling it "legally indefensible" and arguing Congress has not approved it. Several veterans also sued, arguing it would destroy the historic sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
Government defense
The government urged U.S. Judge Tanya Chutkan to reject the effort to stop construction, arguing the arch's location and height could help defend the capital from evolving threats such as drones.
Aviation concerns
Concerns were raised about the arch's proximity to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and its location within the airport's main approach and departure corridors. However, the Federal Aviation Administration found the arch does not pose aviation safety risks, noting it will include an eternal flame and floodlight projectors to make it noticeable for pilots.
Broader push
The arch is part of Trump's broader push to remake Washington, including renovating the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, redeveloping a golf course in East Potomac Park, adding his name to the U.S. Institute of Peace, and attempting to add his name to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
