Crews Drain 4 Million-Gallon Reflecting Pool Again, Fencing Off National Mall Views
Updated
Updated · WTOP · Jul 11
Crews Drain 4 Million-Gallon Reflecting Pool Again, Fencing Off National Mall Views
3 articles · Updated · WTOP · Jul 11
Summary
Crews on Friday resumed draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and began covering its chain-link fence with black screening, further restricting access and sightlines on the National Mall.
The new barriers add to weeks of detours, street closures and fenced-off areas around the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, with some restrictions tied to the FIFA Fan Zone, the Great American State Fair and July 4 events.
Visitors said the repairs made the Mall feel like a construction zone and disrupted plans, with blocked views, confusing road closures and traffic delays for taxis and rideshares.
The latest work follows a troubled $14 million overhaul of the 4 million-gallon pool, which was refilled in June and then drained again amid algae, peeling liner paint, vandalism claims and fireworks debris.