Story perspectives

Construction to work 20-hour days on contested Arlington arch

6/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Construction crews will work 20 hours in two 10-hour shifts to finish the arch in two to three years.
The National Capital Planning Commission, on June 4, advanced the project and demanded data and obstruction lights because the arch lies in Reagan National Airport’s approach corridor.
Critics including Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Public Citizen have sued and protested, saying the monument violates processes and threatens the landscape near Arlington National Cemetery.

History

Historical Context

The National Historic Preservation Act, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 15 1966, created Section 106 review requiring federal agencies to assess impacts on historic properties. That framework now underpins the National Capital Planning Commission’s lighting-data request for the Arlington arch, prompting lawsuits from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Public Citizen and Arlington Cemetery. In its first year the Advisory Council evaluated about 1,200 projects and awarded $2.5 million in grants.

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Story summary

Construction crews will work 20 hours in two 10-hour shifts to finish the arch in two to three years.
The National Capital Planning Commission, on June 4, advanced the project and demanded data and obstruction lights because the arch lies in Reagan National Airport’s approach corridor.
Critics including Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Public Citizen have sued and protested, saying the monument violates processes and threatens the landscape near Arlington National Cemetery.

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