President Donald Trump's proposed triumphal arch, intended to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, is planned to be constructed between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. According to documents from the National Park Service, the construction is expected to follow a demanding schedule of 20 hours a day over a period of two to three years.
The arch will be a five-level structure featuring an observation deck, exhibit space, restrooms, a café, and a gift shop. The construction will occur in multiple phases, with work scheduled year-round in two 10-hour shifts per day.
The proposed arch will stand 250 feet tall, including a gold-winged figure and two eagles atop the structure. It is designed to resemble the Washington Square Park arch in Manhattan and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
The project has received initial approvals from several federal entities, including the Commission of Fine Arts and the Federal Aviation Administration, although the National Capital Planning Commission has requested a legal justification for the project's height in relation to federal regulations.
Opposition to the arch has emerged, with critics advocating for environmental reviews and expressing concerns about its impact on historical views in Washington. A lawsuit has been filed by Vietnam War veterans challenging the legality of the construction, arguing that it would obstruct significant views from Arlington National Cemetery to the Lincoln Memorial.
The National Park Service documents also reference historical proposals for the area, including designs for columns and other monumental structures that were considered in the early 20th century.