Proposed 250-Foot Triumphal Arch Near Washington National Airport Deemed Safe by FAA

A proposed 250-foot triumphal arch by President Donald Trump has been determined to not be a hazard to aircraft departing and landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The agency conducted a preliminary feasibility study and found that there would be no adverse impacts to operations at DCA. The only requirement for the structure would be to have red obstruction lights on the top, which is a common safety tool, as per FAA regulations.

According to the FAA’s website, structures over 200 feet in height should be marked or lighted. The proposed arch, which is part of a larger project known as the Memorial Circle, would be located across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial and north of Washington National Airport. The FAA will now conduct a full aeronautical study in coordination with the National Park Service.

The arch has been a subject of controversy, as its height would surpass that of the Lincoln Memorial and come close to rivaling the Capitol Building. The proposed location for the arch is in a traffic circle on Memorial Drive, near the western end of Arlington Memorial Bridge and the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. While the monument would be across the Potomac River, the area where it would be built, Columbia Island, is considered part of Washington D. C.

The arch’s height and location have sparked concerns and a public advocacy group has even filed a lawsuit to block its construction. The group argues that the project has not been approved by Congress and would disrupt the sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington.

Despite these concerns, the U. S. Commission on Fine Arts has already approved the preliminary design for the arch last month. The project is still in its early stages and will undergo further review and approval processes before any construction can begin.