Judge stops construction of arch at Arlington National Cemetery as key committee votes to approve – Military Times

Judge stops construction of arch at Arlington National Cemetery as key committee votes to approve  Military Times

Within an hour after a federal commission approved construction of a 250-foot arch Thursday, a federal judge blocked any work from starting, Within an hour after a federal commission approved construction of a 250-foot arch Thursday between the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, a federal judge blocked any work from starting, siding with three Vietnam veterans and other plaintiffs who have sued to stop construction. U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan cited harms to the environment, traffic and costs to the governments of Washington, D.C. and the state of Virginia, which joined the suit last week. “The harm is certain,” Chutkan wrote.

“Defendants initially notified the court that construction could begin as early as November 5, 2026, if the [National Capital Planning Commission, or NCPC] approves the project at its meeting that day and the Department of the Interior authorizes construction.” The judge’s announcement followed a nine-hour hearing and vote on the project by the NCPC, a commission responsible for reviewing buildings, monuments and memorials in Washington. During the hearing, 130 members of the public testified, more than 90% of whom opposed it, and 1,000 people submitted written statements. The group, which included veterans, lawmakers, architectural historians, preservationists and others, discussed the arch’s planned location, size, purpose and potential as a tourist attraction. They