The Department of the Interior has announced that the reconstruction of the Tidal Basin seawall in Washington, D.C., has been completed ahead of schedule. This project is considered a significant step in protecting national memorials and landscapes, including the Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and the cherry blossom trees.
The $112 million initiative was funded through the Legacy Restoration Fund established by the Great American Outdoors Act, which was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump in 2020. The act provides ongoing funding to address maintenance needs across the National Park System.
The Tidal Basin seawall project is part of a two-phase effort, with work on the Potomac River seawall expected to finish by May 2026. Both projects are projected to conclude eight months earlier than planned and approximately $30 million under budget.
According to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, “The completion of this phase of the seawall project shows what can be accomplished when we invest in America’s treasures. The work here, directed by President Trump, protects beloved memorials, restores the landscape’s integrity and prepares the area for the next century of visitors. It is fitting progress as our nation looks ahead to America’s 250th and the celebration of our shared history.”
The reconstruction addressed longstanding issues such as sinking ground and frequent tidal flooding along the south side of the Tidal Basin. Some sections of the original seawall had settled over five feet since their construction in the late 1800s and early 1900s, resulting in regular flooding and damage to both trees and historic walkways.
Upgrades include deeper foundations for stability, wider pathways for accessibility, and designs intended to withstand rising sea levels and stronger storms. While construction on this phase is finished, landscape restoration continues. In spring 2026, plans call for planting 426 trees—269 of them cherry trees—in areas affected by construction.
To allow new plantings time to establish and stabilize, public access to parts of the Tidal Basin and West Potomac Park will remain restricted through the 2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival. Reopening is expected soon after that event.
