President Donald Trump announced plans on June 4, 2026, to build a walkway connecting the Lincoln Memorial to the Potomac River, potentially named the "Trump Promenade" [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. The project aims to restore the original 1911 design intent, which placed the memorial’s main entrance facing the river but is now separated by two multi-lane highways [1, 4, 5, 6]. Trump said in the Oval Office, "They want to call it the Trump Promenade. I don’t know if I want to do that, but it’s going to be beautiful" [1]. He also stated, "We have a great way to build a walkway so people can walk through those two highways" [4].
The plan includes pedestrian bridges over the highways to provide safer, easier access from the memorial to the riverfront [3, 7]. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said the project "completes the National Mall’s design dating back to the 1902 McMillan Plan, including pedestrian bridges to connect the Lincoln Memorial and riverfront" [3]. The walkway would resolve a long-standing barrier created by the roadways.
The announcement came as the nearby Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was recently repainted "American flag blue" and refilled with water starting June 3, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 7, 5, 6]. Government records indicate the pool should be fully refilled by June 7 [3, 7]. Trump estimated the renovation cost at $1.5 to $2 million, but official contracts total at least $14.8 million [3, 7]. The renovated pool now uses a recycled water system pulling from a nearby tidal lake instead of city drinking water [3, 7].
Since returning to office in early 2025, Trump has launched multiple large public works projects in Washington, including renovating monuments, demolishing the White House East Wing to build a ballroom, and planning a large triumphal arch [1, 2, 4, 5, 6]. However, some of his naming and renovation efforts have faced criticism and legal challenges, such as his renaming of the Kennedy Center and the Reflecting Pool’s color scheme [3, 7, 8, 9]. Trump has expressed his wish to leave a lasting imprint on the capital’s landmarks during his final two and a half years in office [1, 4, 5, 6].
Work on the Reflecting Pool is nearly complete with full refill expected by June 7. The promenade project is the next step in connecting the mall to the riverfront, aiming to improve pedestrian access and revive historic design elements.
