President Donald Trump's proposal to construct a 250-foot arch in Washington, D.C. has received preliminary approval from the National Capital Planning Commission. The arch is planned to be located at a traffic circle at the Virginia end of Memorial Bridge. The commission voted to approve the preliminary site and building plans, although they will continue to deliberate on the height of the structure, which is subject to federal height restrictions in the city. Chairman Will Scharf noted the complexity of the project, with a final vote expected at the commission's next meeting in September.
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts had previously approved the design for the arch in May. Some members of the public expressed opposition to the project, citing concerns about its proximity to Arlington National Cemetery and its potential impact on the sightlines between significant historical sites. A group of veterans and a historian have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to halt the construction, arguing it would disrupt important views meant to symbolize reunification after the Civil War. The arch would exceed the height of the Lincoln Memorial and be nearly half the height of the Washington Monument. Trump has suggested that the arch could be funded through private donations, although some public funds will also be used for the project.