A federal judge temporarily blocked construction of President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot Washington arch for 14 days early Friday, hours after a federal planning panel approved its final plans, the BBC and The Associated Press reported.
The National Capital Planning Commission voted 8-4 after nearly nine hours of public comment, the BBC reported. The commission’s official project file lists the November 5 review as a request for approval of final site and building plans. Its earlier approval placed the arch at Memorial Circle on Columbia Island, at the western end of Arlington Memorial Bridge.
A 14-day pause after planning approval
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a temporary restraining order preventing work from beginning, AP reported. The District of Columbia and Virginia requested the halt in their lawsuit, which Chutkan consolidated with a case brought by Vietnam veterans and an architectural historian, according to AP’s full report.
The administration had said work could begin after planning approval, an Interior Department decision and the required National Park Service notification, AP reported. The court’s temporary pause now puts that start on hold.
Opponents have raised concerns about historic sightlines, traffic and public safety, as well as whether Congress authorized the project. The administration argues that congressional authorization dates back more than a century, according to Reuters, carried by Central Oregon Daily.
Before the ruling, the proposed schedule called for six to eight months of excavation and foundation work, with above-ground construction no earlier than May 2027 and the entire job expected to take 33 to 39 months, Reuters reported, citing the Justice Department’s account of the plans.
A new monument near Arlington
The arch would mark the country’s 250th anniversary. Its design includes a winged Lady Liberty figure and golden eagles. Supporters on the commission described it as a tribute to the nation and its veterans; opponents said it would disrupt the setting around Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial.
The National Park Service describes Arlington Memorial Bridge and Avenue as a ceremonial connection between Washington and Arlington National Cemetery. Thursday’s planning approval followed preliminary approval in July. The reported court order prevents construction from starting during the 14-day pause.
JBizNews Desk | Washington
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