Trump’s arch construction to run 20 hours a day for 2 to 3 years, documents show
The National Park Service is gearing up for a massive construction project to complete Donald Trump’s “Triumphal Arch” before he leaves office. The ambitious plan involves 20-hour workdays over the next two to three years, according to planning documents released by the Department of the Interior.
Last week, the National Park Service unveiled designs, renderings, and reports related to the planned arch, sparking controversy about its addition to the D.C. skyline. The monument, which is intended to celebrate 250 years of American independence, will stand at a towering height of 250 feet, symbolizing this significant milestone.
Construction of the arch is set to be a monumental task, with workers using concrete and U.S.-sourced granite for its construction. The project will require multiple cranes up to 320 feet tall, along with other heavy construction equipment like concrete pumps, forklifts, and skid steers. The design also includes aviation-required safety lighting to minimize light pollution and ensure the arch does not interfere with flight paths for D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Despite facing legal challenges in federal court, including lawsuits from Vietnam veterans seeking to block construction, work on the arch is set to proceed. The project will be carried out in seven phases over a two-to-three-year period, with construction workers excavating the site, driving the foundation system down 75 feet to bedrock, and constructing the primary concrete structure of the arch.
As construction progresses, workers will assemble the inner structure of the arch, including stairs, elevators, roofing, plumbing, and electrical work. Plans also call for a 300-foot mobile crane to be used to install a gold statue atop the arch. The National Park Service anticipates significant traffic disruptions around the Arlington Memorial Bridge during construction.
The design for the arch has not yet been approved by the National Capital Planning Commission, which has raised concerns about the project. However, the Trump administration maintains that construction is authorized under a 100-year-old statute related to the Arlington Memorial Bridge. Department of Justice lawyers argue that the plaintiffs lack standing and that the lawsuit is premature.
Despite the legal challenges and controversies surrounding the project, the National Park Service is forging ahead with plans to complete Donald Trump’s “Triumphal Arch” before his term ends. The construction schedule calls for round-the-clock work to ensure the monument is ready to mark this significant milestone in American history.
