The Trump administration is moving forward with plans to construct a 250-foot arch at Memorial Circle, located approximately two aeronautical miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport’s primary runway. The structure would be situated in one of the nation’s busiest airspace corridors, with aircraft passing over the site every 45 to 60 seconds during operating hours.
A preliminary Federal Aviation Administration assessment released in June indicated the arch would likely not present a problem if equipped with blinking red obstruction lights, similar to the Washington Monument. However, the FAA is conducting a more comprehensive evaluation that could classify the structure as a hazard. The agency is also reviewing associated construction cranes that could reach heights of up to 320 feet. As of early September, neither the FAA nor the White House provided a timeline for completion of these reviews.
Air traffic and safety experts expressed concerns about the proposal despite the preliminary FAA findings. Aviation safety specialists noted that while the arch itself may not pose significant risk to most aircraft, it would introduce an additional variable into an already complex operational environment. Washington National Airport operates with a single runway serving approximately 25 million passengers annually, significantly exceeding its original design capacity of 15 million. Experts emphasized that the airport’s location within a highly restricted airspace, combined with existing congestion, leaves little margin for error among air traffic controllers.
Concerns about the project intensified following a January 2025 midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter that resulted in 67 fatalities. The incident prompted new safety restrictions, though some aviation professionals argue additional measures are necessary. Recently, two Democratic senators introduced legislation proposing to cap hourly arrivals and gradually reduce flights over a four-year period beginning in 2028.
The arch project faces multiple challenges beyond aviation safety considerations, including questions from historic preservation experts about impacts to Arlington National Cemetery and concerns regarding the review process timeline. An ongoing lawsuit contends that Congressional authorization is required for construction. The White House stated it continues seeking approval from applicable federal entities, with preliminary excavation work anticipated to commence this month, despite outstanding questions regarding various aspects of the proposal.
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