The Trump administration plans to break ground on a 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington within the next two weeks, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced on September 3, marking a major step forward for one of the most controversial monuments ever proposed in the nation’s capital.
Excavation work for the monument will begin at Memorial Circle, a traffic roundabout at the head of the Arlington Memorial Bridge between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The site sits on federal land managed by the National Park Service, on the Virginia side of the Potomac River.
The arch has been designed as a neoclassical monument standing 250 feet from base to the tip of a gold-plated Lady Liberty-style figure holding a torch. The design also features two gilded eagles flanking the statue, along with gold inscriptions reading “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty.” An observation deck on top would provide 360-degree views of the region.
Burgum framed the project as a long-overdue fulfillment of historical intent. “We are pleased to announce that after a very long wait (over 125 years!), we are preparing to start, over the next two-week period, the excavation work necessary for the Great Triumphal Arch and Military Observation Deck,” he said in a social media post.
The administration plans an aggressive construction schedule: crews will work 20 hours a day for two to three years to complete the structure before Trump leaves office in 2029. This schedule will require multiple cranes, including some reaching up to 320 feet tall.
The project has drawn substantial criticism. The National Park Service found in an August 2026 report that the arch would adversely affect 37 historic sites around Washington, including key sightlines from the Lincoln Memorial to Arlington National Cemetery and Robert E. Lee’s house. Critics have also raised concerns about traffic congestion during construction and whether the monument will overshadow nearby landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial.
The arch was conceived to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. The design was approved by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts in May 2026 and cleared preliminary review from the National Capital Planning Commission in July 2026. The National Endowment for the Humanities earmarked $15 million for the monument, though the total construction cost remains unclear.
The Trump administration has continued to pursue other major Washington construction projects, reshaping the capital’s landscape during this term. The arch represents the most visible of these efforts, standing taller than the Lincoln Memorial and approaching half the height of the Washington Monument.
Sources
- POLITICO — Interior Secretary Burgum’s announcement of excavation timeline and project details
- AP News — Confirmation of excavation start within two weeks and monument specifications
- The Hill — National Park Service findings on adverse effects to 37 historic sites
- NPR — Park Service report on historic site impacts and criticism
- PBS NewsHour — National Park Service backing of the arch despite sightline concerns
- ABC News — Construction schedule of 20 hours per day for 2-3 years
- The Guardian — Commission of Fine Arts approval of design in May 2026
- BBC News — Monument design features including gold-plated Lady Liberty and eagles
