Construction of a proposed 250-foot-high arch near the Lincoln Memorial could take place 20 hours a day, year-round, as officials aim to complete the project within three years, according to a preliminary assessment by the National Park Service (NPS). The project would require tower cranes, forklifts, and concrete pump systems, and would involve two 10-hour shifts daily.
The 24-page assessment was released as part of a fast-tracked historic preservation review initiated last week. The National Capital Planning Commission voted to seek additional information from the Interior Department regarding the project's potential impact on air travel and other construction-related specifics.
The commission's vote followed nearly three hours of public comments from approximately 20 individuals, many of whom raised concerns about the arch, which is one of several initiatives by President Trump to leave a legacy in Washington. Preliminary surveys and testing of the site began last month, with other approvals in progress. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts has approved the design of the arch.
The planning commission is requesting further justification for the arch's proposed height, as well as details regarding lighting, stormwater management, and visitor traffic regulation. The planned site is located near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reviewing whether the arch's height poses a risk to air travel. The FAA has indicated that the top of the structure will need to be equipped with red obstruction lights for safety.
Will Scharf, the commission's head, has stated that he believes federal height restrictions for new construction in Washington should not apply to the arch. Critics argue that the arch would disrupt views between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Trump has advocated for the arch to commemorate America's 250th anniversary and suggested that it could be funded through private donations from a previous project.
A legal challenge has been filed by a group of veterans and a historian to block the project, citing concerns about its impact on sightlines. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal has criticized the administration for a lack of transparency regarding these construction projects, which include renovations to the Lincoln Memorial's Reflecting Pool and the rebuilding of a public golf course along the Potomac River.