With President Donald Trump's 79th birthday coinciding this year with the 250-year anniversary of the U.S. Army, plans for a major military parade in Washington, D.C., are raising concerns about financial and infrastructural impacts. According to NBC Washington, military leaders suggest the street repairs post-parade could reach $16 million, part of a larger $45 million estimated overall cost.
As thousands of soldiers and historic military hardware, including 130 vehicles and 50 aircraft, prepare to showcase America's defense capabilities on June 14, some residents and visitors of the capital expressed their unease to News4.
Their concerns are not just about the hefty cost, but also about the potential damage to city streets, with tanks and heavy vehicles being central to the parade's lineup. Trump, defending the parade costs, told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” earlier this month that “We have the greatest missiles in the world. We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest army tanks in the world. We have the greatest weapons in the world. And we’re going to celebrate it."
The Army's preparations for the parade include laying 1-inch-thick steel plates along the route to protect the roads where the heaviest vehicles, such as 28 M1A1 tanks, will travel. These plates, with an additional $3 million in cost, should help lessen the impacts of the heavy machinery during the event. Planned historical displays and the participation of the Army’s parachute team, the Golden Knights, are among the parade highlights, as detailed by NBC News.
While Mayor Muriel Bowser has previously expressed trepidations concerning damage to city infrastructure, it is the military's intentions to bear the restoration costs. “If military tanks were used, they should be accompanied by many millions of dollars to repair the roads,” Bowser mentioned at a news conference in April, reported by The Daily Beast. Furthermore, the city might find itself initially covering the damages and seeking federal reimbursement after the fact. The Army spokesperson Steve Warren assured that "We’re not expecting any damage to the route," also saying they will pay for any damage, as reported by The Daily Beast.
