Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) stated on Thursday, September 24, 2026, that the Trump administration appears to be preparing for the construction of a proposed 250-foot arch on Columbia Island, just outside Washington. Beyer reported visiting the site that morning after constituents alerted him to the presence of heavy machinery. While construction workers at the scene told Beyer they were performing archaeological assessments of the soil, the congressman said the activity suggests the administration is moving forward with the project despite an ongoing legal dispute.
The proposed arch, intended to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, has faced opposition from local officials and federal lawmakers. Earlier in September, a federal judge issued an order requiring 48 hours' notice for "any activity" at the site and 14 days' notice before formal construction begins. The order provided an exception for archaeological work. Beyer stated that the presence of surveyors and heavy equipment indicates a transition toward active construction, which he argues is illegal without specific congressional authorization.
On the same day as Beyer's visit, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) announced it would conclude its review of the project by submitting recommendations directly to the Department of the Interior. This move ended consultations with local government historians in Virginia and Washington, D.C. The General Services Administration (GSA) describes these Section 106 consultations as an "integral component" of federal projects to ensure public concerns about historic preservation are considered. However, the ACHP stated it would proceed after officials in both jurisdictions declined to approve the plan, citing concerns about its impact on historic sites.
A National Park Service "Assessment of Effect" report found that the 250-foot structure would "adversely affect" dozens of historic locations, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Rep. Beyer, whose district includes the site, has warned that the project will create significant traffic congestion on major roadways. According to Beyer, local officials in Arlington County have also raised concerns regarding the impact on transportation infrastructure, which they say could hinder the ability of emergency responders to move through the area.
President Trump said on Sunday, September 20, 2026, that the structure would serve as a functional security hub housing snipers, drones, and ammunition. For families who visit or have relatives interred at Arlington National Cemetery, the National Park Service has acknowledged the project would disrupt the site. Furthermore, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) previously stated that a full aeronautical study is required to evaluate potential flight risks for air traffic at Reagan National Airport (DCA), though Beyer notes this study has not been completed. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has investigated whether other White House construction contributed to a recent incident involving Marine One.
Legal and legislative challenges remain for the administration. The Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act, introduced by Beyer, seeks to prohibit the construction of the arch. While Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum announced on September 3, 2026, that excavation work would begin within two weeks, the project is still undergoing a review by the ACHP. The Section 106 review will be considered concluded once the Secretary of the Interior responds to the ACHP’s final comments. The administration is currently required by court order to provide notice before changing the nature of the work at the site.