Construction for the monumental triumphal arch proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to commemorate the nation's 250th founding anniversary is set to begin soon.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum posted on social media that excavation work for the triumphal arch, which will be built between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, will begin within two weeks.

Secretary Burgum emphasized that the triumphal arch will "honor the history and significance of Arlington National Cemetery and become one of America's great architectural masterpieces worthy of the world's most powerful capital."

President Trump announced last year that, in celebration of the 250th founding anniversary, he would erect a structure in Washington, D.C., resembling the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.

In April of last year, he even unveiled plans to make the triumphal arch about 76 meters tall and decorate it with golden angel and eagle statues.

However, controversy persists over whether the project is illegal, as it is being pushed forward without approval from the National Capital Planning Commission or Congress.

Concerns have also been raised that the triumphal arch could obstruct the historic landscape between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

Since returning to office in January of last year, President Trump has continued his attempts to leave his mark on Washington, D.C.

He has engraved his name and face on limited-edition passports and 1-dollar commemorative coins, and a large banquet hall is currently being built in the East Wing of the White House.

(Reported by Park Se-won | Video by Kim Min-ji | Graphics by Lee Su-min | Produced by SBS Digital News)