The U.S. Army announced on Monday that initial evaluations show no noticeable damage to Washington, D.C.’s streets following Saturday’s military parade, which celebrated the Army’s 250th anniversary.
The celebration marked the first time in decades that tanks rolled through the nation’s capital, in a tribute to the Army’s founding in 1775. Ahead of the parade, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and other city officials raised concerns regarding the effect the 70-ton tanks would have on roads. As part of the $45 million parade, approximately $16 million was allocated for road repairs.
Army representatives attributed the successful outcome to months of coordination and planning with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Park Service, and the Federal Highway Administration. These efforts included thorough road inspections before the event and the installation of protective steel plating in areas where military vehicles would make tight turns.
“The hard work done by the experts absolutely paid off as expected,” an Army spokesperson stated. “Our immediate assessments are showing that there is no immediately discernible damage of any kind to the parade route or staging area.”
The Army implemented several preventive steps to minimize road harm: Rubber padding was added to tank tracks, and key intersections were reinforced with steel plates. In addition, Army engineers visited Fort Cavazos in Texas to finalize logistics for protecting infrastructure during the event.
Bowser said that while the city continues to monitor the situation, responsibility for the parade route lies with the National Park Service.
The NPS and FHWA will continue to conduct subsurface testing along the parade route to confirm that no hidden damage was done below street level. Army officials expressed confidence that those assessments will also show no need for repairs.
TRUMP GETS HIS FIRST-TERM WISH OF A MILITARY PARADE
The nonprofit group organizing the event submitted a $300,000 deposit to the National Park Service to cover operational costs and potential repairs. This amount is held under a cost-recovery agreement to reimburse the agency if any damage from the parade is later discovered.
The Washington Examiner contacted the D.C. Department of Transportation and Bowser’s office for comment.