The Trump administration is seeking to advance the construction of a 250-foot arch in Memorial Circle, a traffic island on the historic bridge connecting Washington D.C. to Arlington, Virginia.
Air Traffic Hazards
This arch will be located nearly two miles from the main runway of Ronald Reagan Washington Airport, which is one of the busiest runways in the country. Democratic Representative Don Beyer has warned about the dangers posed by this construction, stating: "A large number of planes pass over this location every 45 to 60 seconds. Imagine the disaster that could occur with planes flying under a 250-foot arch."
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The Trump administration believes that this arch will not pose any additional risk. A preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in June stated that the structure is unlikely to cause problems, provided that flashing red lights are installed on it, as is the case with the Washington Monument. However, the agency is still conducting a more comprehensive study that may identify this arch as "a hazard."
Concerns About Air Traffic
A FAA spokesperson announced in early September that "the standard obstacle evaluation process is underway" for both the arch and the cranes that will be used for its construction, which the government has stated may reach up to 320 feet in height. However, the FAA and the White House have not provided further details or a timeline for these reviews.
Aviation safety experts have shared their opinions on the potential impacts of the arch's construction. Their consensus is that while the arch itself is unlikely to pose a significant risk to most aircraft, it adds to other factors in a busy and complex airspace. Jeff Guzzetti, a former transportation safety expert and FAA official, said: "This is a small airport with a runway located in an urban area that is close to restricted airspace."
The congestion and complexity of Washington D.C.'s airspace have raised significant concerns, especially following a mid-air collision in January 2025 that resulted in the deaths of 67 people. Some experts worry that the FAA may come under political pressure from Trump to approve this project. Guzzetti stated: "The best and most fundamental option is simply not to build it."
Shawn Pruchnicki, a former pilot and aviation safety expert, also criticized the plan, stating that constructing a 250-foot arch in Memorial Circle would be "inherently dangerous."
The Trump administration previously announced that the arch is being built to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the country. The White House has repeatedly stated that this arch will be "one of the most iconic structures not only in Washington D.C. but around the world."
Critics of the arch have raised objections from various angles; from its impact on the Arlington National Cemetery and disruption to nearby historic sites to questions about its cost and purpose. Beyer added that he has yet to see any of his constituents who want this arch to be built.
The Trump administration announced earlier this month that it will soon begin preliminary excavation work in Memorial Circle, although questions about aviation safety and many other issues remain unanswered. This arch has not yet been approved by a federal planning commission, and historic preservation experts say that the review process is moving quickly. An ongoing lawsuit also claims that this structure cannot be built without congressional approval, which Trump has denied and made no effort to obtain.
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Source: npr.org
