Federal agencies are pushing for an unusually intensive construction timeline for President Trump’s proposed triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, with crews potentially working 20 hours a day for as long as two to three years, according to documents posted this week in the Federal Register.
The main construction period could run for up to 11 months and “would require several tower cranes, forklifts, skid steers, drill rigs, and concrete pumping systems,” National Park Service filings said. “Work would occur year-round, with work occurring in two 10-hour shifts per day (20 hours per day, year-round) for the duration of the construction period.”
For months, Mr. Trump has promoted plans for a 250-foot triumphal arch in a traffic circle between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Although the location sits on the Virginia side of the Potomac River, it technically falls within the District of Columbia’s boundaries.
The project would disrupt vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian movement along the Arlington Memorial Bridge, a major link between Washington, D.C., and Virginia, as well as along Arlington Boulevard, which runs beside Arlington National Cemetery. Westbound lanes on the bridge would be narrowed from three to two.
Officials are proposing to place the arch at the center of Memorial Circle, near the bridge entrance, and the new plans state that construction would involve a “series of physical modifications within and around Memorial Circle.” The circle sits immediately next to the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery.
If built as envisioned, the arch would tower over the 99-foot Lincoln Memorial across the bridge. It would also stand about 30 feet higher than the Plaza de la República in Mexico City, which is currently considered the world’s largest arch.
According to the National Park Service documents, the proposed 250-foot height “is intended to celebrate 250 years of American independence.”
Unlike many Washington monuments made from natural stone such as marble or limestone, the arch would be constructed with concrete and clad in granite.
The Federal Aviation Administration said last week that it is conducting a full aeronautical study in coordination with the National Park Service, which is listed as the sponsor of the plan. The FAA said in a statement last week that “career safety experts found no adverse impacts to operations” at nearby Ronald Reagan National Airport.
The FAA feasibility study found that safety lights would need to be added, saying these red obstruction lights cannot “not penetrate the visual traffic pattern” and not “have any effect on airport facilities or radio/visual navigational and landing aids.”
The comment period on the arch is currently open. It will close on June 15, 2026.
