The U.S. Army’s 250th Anniversary Parade Could Cost Washington, D.C. Up to $16 Million in Street Repairs
The military parade planned to mark the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, which falls on President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday on June 14, could leave Washington, D.C., facing up to $16 million in street repairs, U.S. military officials have acknowledged.
Heavy tanks are planned to roll through parts of the city.
Steel plates, at least an inch thick, will be positioned at key tank turning points along the parade route, while some of the tanks will have new track pads in a bid to minimize disruption, reported NBC News.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has expressed her concern over the potential damage that could be caused by the tanks.
“These are, for the most part, local streets, and if they’re rendered unusable, we have to make them usable,” she said last month.
But Trump has defended the spectacle, which will reportedly include the U.S. Army Golden Knights team parachuting in to present him with a flag, and claimed the cost is “peanuts compared to the value of doing it.”
Impact on Washington, D.C.
The planned military parade to celebrate the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary is set to take place on June 14, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. However, the parade could come at a hefty cost for Washington, D.C., with potential street repairs amounting to up to $16 million. The inclusion of heavy tanks in the parade has raised concerns about the impact on the city’s infrastructure.
To mitigate potential damage, steel plates measuring at least an inch thick will be strategically placed at key tank turning points along the parade route. Additionally, some tanks will be equipped with new track pads to minimize disruption to the streets. Despite these measures, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has expressed apprehension over the potential consequences of the parade on the city’s roads.
Defending the Parade
President Trump has defended the grandeur of the parade, which is also expected to feature the U.S. Army Golden Knights team parachuting in to present him with a flag. Trump justified the cost of the event by stating that it is insignificant compared to the value it brings. However, concerns remain about the long-term impact on Washington, D.C.’s infrastructure and the necessary repairs that may follow in the parade’s aftermath.
