The National Capital Planning Commission on Thursday approved plans for President Trump’s proposed 250-foot arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, clearing the project’s final planning hurdle despite pending legal challenges.
The commission voted 8-4 after a virtual hearing lasting nearly nine hours, according to The Hill and Axios. More than 100 people gave public comments, with The Hill reporting that most opposed the proposal. NPR reported that government renderings show three gold statues and an eternal flame atop the arch.
The administration has said construction could begin immediately or within a day of the vote. Axios, NPR and PBS reported that a federal judge could still block the project as court challenges continue.