The Proposed Victory Arch in Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump’s proposed victory arch in the capital is a monumental structure that has sparked significant debate. Standing 250 feet tall, the arch is designed to include an observation deck at the top, offering visitors a panoramic view of Washington, D.C., and Virginia. However, the question remains: how will people access this monument, which is planned for the middle of a busy roundabout in the nation’s capital?
The arch, which has been a source of controversy for months, is scheduled to be reviewed by a federal panel on Thursday. This review could potentially pave the way for the start of construction. The design of the arch bears a strong resemblance to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and is set to be built in Memorial Circle, a roundabout at the end of Arlington Memorial Bridge. This bridge spans the Potomac River and connects Virginia to the capital.
Architectural drawings released by federal officials in April reveal a towering white arch outfitted with internal stairs and elevators to carry visitors to an open-air terrace overlooking the city. According to Nicolas Leo Charbonneau, the classical architect spearheading the project from Harrison Design, the vantage point offers a unique perspective, allowing visitors to see the city from above.
Each day, 80 visitors would be permitted inside the arch per hour. However, the challenge of accessing the arch without crossing traffic has raised concerns. Harrison Design had recommended building a pedestrian tunnel, but the Commission of Fine Arts, which serves in an advisory role, opposed this idea. As a result, the firm altered plans to include four pedestrian crosswalks.
Memorial Circle currently has no pedestrian crossings, and it remains unclear how traffic lights would affect the flow of vehicles. Representative Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat, expressed serious concerns about how the arch could impact traffic. He noted that the bridge it serves handles nearly 70,000 vehicles each day. Beyer wrote a letter to the Trump administration, highlighting the potential traffic impacts on his constituents.
A spokesperson for the Interior Department stated that multiple agencies are coordinating on the arch project and its traffic impacts. They mentioned conducting detailed traffic modeling and simulations to understand the effects of different traffic flows. After construction, traffic delays will be minimized to the time needed to safely accommodate pedestrian crossings and the flow of traffic.
A spokesperson for the Federal Highway Administration provided a similar statement, emphasizing their support for the project and the efforts to minimize traffic delays and enhance pedestrian crossings.
Controversy and Public Opinion
The arch has sparked debate since Trump unveiled plans to build it in October 2025. The 79-year-old president said the towering monument is meant to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. However, when asked by a journalist who the arch was for, he replied, “Me — it’s going to be beautiful.”
Renderings feature a winged figure at the top, four lion statues, and the inscription “One Nation Under God” emblazoned across the facade. Axios reported in November that the arch could cost about $100 million, some of which will be paid by taxpayers, according to a CBS News report citing a government spending plan.
In recent months, several lawsuits have been filed to stop the monument from being erected, including one by a group of Vietnam veterans. They argue the arch lacks the required congressional approval and would obstruct historic views. According to an April Ipsos survey, 52 percent of Americans are opposed to the arch, while just 21 percent support it.
Approval and Future Plans
In late May, the Commission of Fine Arts — filled with Trump appointees — approved the president’s planned arch. On Thursday, another panel stocked with Trump’s deputies, the National Capital Planning Commission, is set to review the designs. If approved and built, the arch would join a growing list of construction and restoration projects undertaken by Trump in Washington, D.C., including his $400 million White House ballroom and the Trump-Kennedy Center renovations.
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