Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP / Getty Images
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that construction on the Washington Arch and Military Observation Deck is set to begin in the coming weeks. Burgum shared on X that excavation work is gearing up on Columbia Island, located between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The idea for this arch has been in discussion for over 125 years.
The project, also known as the "Arc de Trump," is a 250-foot structure similar to Paris's Arc de Triomphe. According to USA TODAY, the arch will be built on Memorial Circle in Arlington, Virginia. It will feature three levels, including a ground floor with security screening, a mezzanine with restrooms, and an observation deck.
The construction will occur year-round, 20 hours a day, and is divided into seven phases, starting with site excavation. The project aims to complete within two to three years. However, it has faced legal challenges. A lawsuit filed by veterans argues that building the arch without congressional approval violates the Commemorative Works Act of 1986.
Despite the controversy, the Department of the Interior stated that the arch would enhance the visitor experience at Arlington National Cemetery, serving as a visual reminder of the sacrifices made by American heroes.