Federal says Trump arch would need 20‑hour daily work

A preliminary federal assessment indicates that construction of a 250-foot triumphal arch proposed by President Donald Trump near the Lincoln Memorial would require an intense schedule of 20 hours per day, year-round, to be completed within a targeted two- to three-year timeframe. The National Park Service report, released last week as part of a fast-tracked historic preservation review, outlines the scale and potential impacts of the project.

The arch, intended to mark the nation's 250th anniversary, would be more than twice the height of the nearby Lincoln Memorial. According to the Park Service, construction would require tower cranes up to 320 feet tall, along with forklifts, concrete pump systems, and other heavy equipment. Work would be conducted in two 10-hour shifts daily. The design, which has been approved by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, calls for the structure to be built from concrete and clad in granite, a departure from the marble and limestone used in many existing Washington monuments.

The project faces multiple regulatory and legal hurdles. The National Capital Planning Commission voted on June 4 to seek more information from the Interior Department,...