US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he had agreed to convert a proposed triumphal arch near the Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington into a military complex for national security purposes, saying it would be used to house and deploy drones and snipers and store ammunition.“At the strong request of the United States Military, and for National Security purposes, I have agreed to convert the magnificent Triumphal Arch, planned since the Civil War Era many years ago, at the Receptive Circle adjoining the Arlington Memorial Bridge, into a top grade Military Complex/Triumphal Arch, to house, store, and have the rapid ability to use large numbers of drones, plus Snipers, on both the roof and plaza areas, and additionally have and hold large quantities of sniper ammunition in storage,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.“There will be no facility like this anywhere in the World,” he added, while saying Washington, DC was the only one among 59 top cities and capitals without a triumphal arch.
Arch planned near Arlington National Cemetery
Trump’s proposed arch would be built at a circle adjacent to the Memorial Bridge, between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The structure is planned to be 250 feet (76 metres) tall.The arch is among several projects Trump is pursuing as part of efforts to reshape Washington’s monumental landscape.Other projects include a new White House ballroom, renovation of the Kennedy Center, refurbishment of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and redevelopment of a golf course in East Potomac Park.Trump has also described the new White House ballroom as a “military complex” and said it serves national security purposes.
FAA clears aviation hurdle
The Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday that the proposed arch would not pose a hazard to aircraft, although it would be required to have an “eternal flame” on top.The FAA determination requires a light on top of the structure and floodlight projectors directed at the arch to make it visible to pilots. The agency had previously said the arch would require red obstruction lights but later said those would no longer be necessary.The proposed structure would be about 3,000 feet from Washington National Airport and within the airport’s main approach and departure corridor.The FAA said pilots would have to fly at least 780 feet above the area around the arch, or at least 488 feet above the top of the proposed structure.The FAA determination can be reviewed if a petition is filed by October 18.
Veterans challenge project
Veterans have sued to block the proposed arch, arguing that it would destroy the historic sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, according to Reuters.Some aviation experts have also raised safety concerns because of the structure’s proximity to Reagan Washington National Airport.US Senator Tammy Duckworth, the top Democrat on the Senate aviation subcommittee, had urged the FAA in June to reject the project, citing potential risks to commercial flights.The National Park Service has said construction could require cranes reaching 300 to 320 feet and could continue for up to 20 hours a day for two to three years.On September 4, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to provide 48 hours’ notice before carrying out any activity at the arch site, except work to identify underground cultural artefacts.
