President Donald Trump's proposed victory arch in Washington, D.C., includes an observation deck at the top, but questions remain over how visitors will reach the monument, which is planned for the middle of a busy roundabout. The 250-foot structure, reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe, is scheduled for review by a federal panel on Thursday, potentially clearing the way for construction.
The arch would be built in Memorial Circle, a roundabout at the end of Arlington Memorial Bridge, which connects Virginia to the capital. Architectural drawings reveal internal stairs and elevators to carry visitors to an open-air terrace offering 360-degree views. Eighty visitors per hour would be permitted inside, according to architect Nicolas Leo Charbonneau.
Access to the arch remains unresolved. Harrison Design, the firm behind the project, initially proposed a pedestrian tunnel, but the Commission of Fine Arts opposed this. The firm then altered plans to include four pedestrian crosswalks, but Memorial Circle currently has no crossings, and it is unclear how traffic lights would affect vehicle flow.
Representative Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat, has raised concerns about traffic impacts, noting that the bridge handles nearly 70,000 vehicles daily. The Interior Department stated that multiple agencies are coordinating, with traffic modelling and simulations conducted to minimise delays. A spokesperson said: 'After construction of the Arch, traffic delays will be minimized to the time needed to safely accommodate pedestrian crossings.'
The arch has been controversial since Trump unveiled plans in October 2025. The president said it commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, but when asked who it was for, he replied: 'Me — it's going to be beautiful.' Renderings show a winged figure, four lion statues, and the inscription 'One Nation Under God'. The project could cost around $100 million, partly funded by taxpayers.
