Pile Driving and Excavation Proceeding On Schedule

Activity remains busy at the National World War II Memorial construction site. Contractors are well into pile driving and excavation operations, which will continue into the fall. Nearly 600 steel piles will be driven into bedrock below the memorial site. The piles will support the concrete plaza slab, which should be poured this fall. This slab will tie into the slurry wall and support the granite paving. The slurry wall, completed in June, prevents migration of groundwater under the memorial and anchors the outside perimeter of the foundation.

Other work to be completed this fall includes underground utility vaults and the initial rebuilding of the Rainbow Pool as the centerpiece of the memorial plaza. Granite will begin arriving for installation by early next year.

The construction site is located between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, at the eastern end of the Reflecting Pool. Construction is on schedule for completion in the spring of 2004.

• To view photos of the memorial construction site, click here.

• To read a fact sheet on the construction project, click here.

• To view or download high-resolution images of the memorial design, click here.
  

• To read a commentary by Senator Bob Dole, national chairman of the memorial fund-raising campaign, click here.

Correcting the Critics  Numerous articles and editorials have been based on distortions and misinformation distributed by those who oppose the memorial. Click here to learn the facts.

WWII Memorial E-Store A variety of high-quality memorial products are available, so visit now!