A new report by the National Park Service says construction of the 250-foot-high triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants built near the Lincoln Memorial could occur 20 hours per day, year-round, as officials push to complete the project within three years.
The Memorial Circle, where President Donald Trump has proposed building an arch to commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary is seen, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington.
FILE - White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds up an artist rendering of the new triumphal arch as she speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, April 15, 2026, in Washington, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent watches. FILE - Artist renderings and diagrams for President Donald Trump's new triumphal arch released by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts that is planned to be built in Washington between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, are photographed, April 10, 2026.
FILE - Flags are placed as workers survey the Memorial Circle, where President Donald Trump has proposed building an arch to commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary, May 11, 2026, in Washington. Flags placed by workers are pictured in the Memorial Circle, where President Donald Trump has proposed building an arch to commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary, Friday, May 15, 2026, in Washington.
wants built near the Lincoln Memorial could occur 20 hours per day, year-round, as officials push to complete the project within three years, according to a preliminary assessment by the National Park Service.
Tower cranes up to 320 feet tall, forklifts, concrete pump systems and other equipment would be needed to build the arch, which would be more than twice as high as the Lincoln Memorial. Work would occur year-round in two 10-hour shifts per day, the Park Service report said.was released last week as a part of a fast-tracked historic preservation review that began Friday. The park service oversees the land where the administration wants to build the arch.
The National Capital Planning Commission voted last week to seek more information from the Interior Department, which oversees the park service. The vote essentially kept the project alive as officials study how the arch could potentially impact air travel, as well as other specifics on construction and traffic in the area.came after nearly three hours of public comment from about 20 members of the public, some representing historic and architectural organizations, and most of whom expressed concerns about the arch that isof the arch site began last month, and other approvals are underway.
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts — which only oversees designs and has no role in the actual construction or funding of the arch or any other project it considers —The capital planning commission is seeking more information justifying the proposed height of the towering arch, as well as additional details about lighting, management of storm water and how traffic and parking would be regulated for visitors. The planned site for the arch, across the Potomac River from the memorial, is on a flight path near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday it is reviewing whether the project’s planned height poses a risk to airplane travel in the area. An American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopterThe FAA review “found no adverse impacts to operations” at Reagan Airport from the proposed arch. but determined that the top of the structure would need to be lit with red obstruction lights -- a common safety tool, spokesman Donnell Evans said.
The FAA will conduct a full aeronautical study in coordination with the National Park Service, he said. The park service, in its report, said aviation-required safety lighting would be incorporated into the arch design “using the least intrusive technology available, ensuring compliance with aircraft visibility requirements while limiting unnecessary light emission.
" Will Scharf, who has served as Trump’s White House staff secretary, heads the commission and has said he believes a federal law limiting building heights for new construction in Washington should not apply to the arch. The law restricts most construction in Washington to a maximum height of 130 feet. Critics have argued that the arch would dominate the skyline and disrupt carefully designed views between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
It would be more than twice as tall as the Lincoln Memorial, which is 99 feet , and close to half the height of theTrump has pushed for the 250-foot-tall arch to mark America’s 250th anniversary, and has said the project could be paid for with private donations left over from the project to build a new White House ballroom. TheA cost estimate for the arch is still being calculated, but a mix of taxpayer and private funds is expected to pay for it.
A group of veterans and a historian have sued the Trump administration in federal court to block the project over concerns about disruptions to the sightline. Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut criticized the administration about what he called its “persistent lack of transparency” in its efforts to advance Trump’s Washington-area construction projects. Besides the planned ballroom, Trump also is renovating the Lincoln Memorial’sand rebuilding a public golf course along the Potomac River.
None of projects have gone through usual legal reviews or Congress.
“Your disregard for legal process and public interest has been apparent in projects ranging from the construction of a White House Ballroom and triumphal arch to the resealing of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool," Blumenthal wrote in a letter Tuesday to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and acting park service director Jessica Bowron. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A pawfect match. Tanner Koziol's dog's name is Jax, and he gets drafted to play in JAX!
Jaguars mandatory minicamp opens doors for fans ahead of 2026 seasonNews4JAX reviews nearly 1,000 pages of records related to JEA subpoenaDCPS superintendent responds to Jacksonville city council decision to send 1-mill renewal to ballotsFamily requests community support for Mandarin High football player critically injured in shootingJaguars Antonio Johnson on veteran role in safety room and why he changed his jersey numberHeat & humidity building across Northeast Florida this weekend. How high will the temps soar?
Woman who helped search for missing 2-year-old on Northside says boy found in neighbor’s poolResidents across Northeast Florida report shockwaves from earthquake off Cuba coast
Please follow us on Google to support us Climate Doug Burgum Jessica Bowron Environment Washington News Donald Trump
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump Administration Waives Environmental Laws to Build Border Barrier in Big Bend National ParkThe Trump administration has waived dozens of environmental protections to fast-track border wall construction through Big Bend National Park in Texas, sparking widespread condemnation from conservationists and indigenous advocates. The unprecedented move bypasses laws designed to protect wild and scenic rivers, historic sites, and Native American heritage, while data shows the region has low border apprehension rates. Steel bollards are arriving, and a major contract has been given to a Republican-aligned firm. Over 130 groups are fighting the plan, calling it the worst attack on national parks in a century.
Read more »
Trump Administration Completes Renovation of National Mall's Reflecting PoolThe Trump administration finishes a comprehensive renovation of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, fixing leaks and restoring its color after previous efforts failed.
Read more »
Trump administration will bypass environmental laws for border project in Big Bend National ParkThe Trump administration is once again bypassing federal environmental laws to speed up work on border barriers and related infrastructure in the Big Bend region of West Texas, this time for a project in and around the region’s namesake national and state parks.
Read more »
National Park tip line backfires as visitors turn on Trump’s history pushMost visitors who responded to the Trump administration’s request to report “negative' portrayals of Americans at U.S. national parks used the opportunity to criticize the effort itself.
Read more »