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Trump administration plans excavation for proposed Washington memorial arch to begin within two weeks

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced site preparation for the 250-foot monument amid legal challenges and debate over congressional authorization.

Updated Sep 3, 2026 · 21:19 UTC4 reports

The short version

  • Excavation work for a proposed 250-foot triumphal arch and observation deck in Washington is scheduled to begin within the next two weeks.
  • The monument is planned for Columbia Island near the Memorial Bridge, positioned between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
  • Opponents, including plaintiffs in a pending lawsuit, contend the project requires explicit congressional approval, which the administration disputes.
  • The overall cost and the outcome of the legal challenge remain key unresolved factors as construction preparations advance.

Key facts

  • Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced on social media that excavation work for the proposed Great Triumphal Arch and Military Observation Deck is set to begin within two weeks.[Associated Press · ABC News · The Washington Post · Politico]
  • The planned structure is designed to stand 250 feet tall on Columbia Island near the Memorial Bridge between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.[Associated Press · Politico]
  • Design renderings depict a white arch with gold detailing, the inscription 'ONE NATION UNDER GOD,' and a winged figure holding a torch alongside gold eagles atop the structure.[Associated Press]
  • A lawsuit brought by three military veterans and an architectural historian challenges the project, arguing that explicit congressional approval is required to authorize the monument.[Associated Press · ABC News]
  • A National Park Service report supported the project while noting it would create adverse effects on sightlines between nearby historical landmarks.[Associated Press]
  • Proposed schedule documents indicate construction could span two to three years, and the National Endowment for the Humanities has earmarked $15 million for the monument.[Politico]

What remains uncertain

  • The total cost of constructing the arch has not been publicly specified.[Politico]
  • The legal standing of the project remains subject to a pending lawsuit regarding whether congressional authorization is required.[Associated Press · Politico]

Sources