Construction on the combined projects, the congressionally mandated expansion of Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) and the Defense Access Road (DAR) Project Realignment of Columbia Pike, has begun. The DAR project is in progress and construction for ANC’s Southern Expansion project is slated to begin in 2023. Both projects will impact the Air Force Memorial (AFM).
When completed, the ANC Southern Expansion Project will provide for approximately 60,000 additional burial sites, and expand ANC by 70 acres. The AFM will be the anchor point of the ANC Southern Expansion and the ANC boundary will encompass the area including the AFM.
At this time, the AFM is open to pedestrians 24/7, and is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to vehicular traffic, however parking is limited. Visitation and parking at the AFM will be impacted during construction. Updates to impacts at the AFM will be posted above. On a case-by-case basis, events normally held at the AFM will be evaluated and will remain at the AFM or may be recommended to move to other locations.
Being included in the ANC, a hallowed place for all service members, provides the opportunity for ANC and AFM to share in honoring those who’ve gone before us, and the surrounding cemetery environment will amplify the already peaceful and serene environment at the AFM. Most current AFM operations will continue once the ANC Southern Expansion is complete (estimated in March 2027), and the public will be informed of any changes as we draw near to that date.
For more information on Arlington National Cemetery’s Southern Expansion project, click here:
https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Missions/Military-Construction/ANCSouthernExpansion/