A federal judge late Thursday blocked the Trump administration from beginning construction on a proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery.

U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, an Obama appointee, granted a temporary restraining order that bars any construction-related activity for 14 days while litigation proceeds. The ruling came shortly after the National Capital Planning Commission voted 8-4 to approve the project in a late-night session.

The arch would stand at Memorial Circle between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Plans describe a granite structure topped by gilded figures reaching an overall height of 250 feet, intended in part to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Chutkan found that the District of Columbia and Virginia demonstrated likely harm from traffic disruptions and economic impacts. She also concluded that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on claims that the project lacked required congressional authorization under the Commemorative Works Act.

Three Vietnam War veterans and a historic preservationist joined the local governments in the lawsuit. They argued the monument would disrupt views and traffic near the cemetery.

The administration had maintained that a century-old statute provided authority for the project and had prepared to start work immediately after the commission vote. Chutkan rejected those arguments as belated and unsupported in her 33-page order.

The decision prevents excavation, demolition, or roadway closures at the site for the next two weeks. The administration must update the court by November 9 on compliance.

Critics, including Virginia Rep. Don Beyer, welcomed the pause but called for a longer-term block. The project has drawn opposition from veterans groups and local officials concerned about its scale and location.