Burgum says excavation for Trump’s triumphal arch starts soon; DOJ tells a judge it is only archaeology

The administration has said the arch will recognize the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this year, and has argued that previous architectural plans for the site have called for a monument to be built.

fact

The president has taken a personal interest in the project, showing off three-dimensional renderings of the arch at White House events. Mr.

fact

An earlier study by the FAA found it would not have an adverse effect on the nearby airport, but would need to be topped by red obstruction lights.

fact

The Federal Aviation Administration's public comment period for the project ended Thursday, and the agency is still studying the arch's impact on the congested D.C.-area airspace.

fact

The monument — which will be erected in a traffic circle at the head of the Memorial Bridge over the Potomac River, coming between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery — has generated controversy as concerns emerged about the design and traffic congestion during construction.

fact

It is unclear at this time how much construction will cost; the National Endowment for the Humanities earmarked $15 million for the monument.

fact

It is unclear at this time how much construction will cost; the National Endowment for the Humanities earmarked $15 million for the monument.

fact

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt closed Wednesday's briefing with images for Thursday's release of plans the U.S. triumphal arch in Washington, D.C.

fact

The Trump administration has argued that a 100-year-old statute related to the building of the nearby Arlington Memorial Bridge authorizes construction of the arch.

fact

Ahead of that meeting, NCPC agency staff recommended initial approval but also a series of revisions to the project to comply with the Height of Buildings Act.

The century-old federal law restricts building heights in Washington, D.C., to preserve the city's skyline.

fact

The judge responded to the filing late Friday evening, ordering the the administration to give her 48 hours' notice "before engaging in any activity on Memorial Circle other than on-site information gathering" regarding archaeological resources.

fact

While the Trump administration disputes the need for congressional approval, he said, it has acknowledged the authority of the federal planning commission — which hasn't approved the arch and doesn't meet again until early October.

fact

Government lawyers said that activity will begin no sooner than Sept. 21, and "any park resources disturbed by the activity, including any disturbed grass, will be restored" by Oct. 31.

fact

Opponents say a structure this size would violate D.C.'s longstanding height limits and reshape its carefully planned skyline.

fact

Critics have a long list of concerns with the project, ranging from the financial cost to the impact on nearby funeral processions to questions of vehicle, pedestrian and aviation safety.

fact

Lawyers and historic preservation advocates are particularly concerned about how quickly the arch has been reviewed and preliminarily approved, even before Burgum's announcement.

fact

It allowed construction to continue without ruling on the project's underlying legality — though Chief Justice John Roberts, joining liberal justices in a dissent, wrote that it is likely unlawful without congressional approval.

fact