White House fence final design approved

Since the summer of 2015, the Secret Service has been trying to stop visitors from attempting to jump the perimeter fence around the White House. In May 2015, the Secret Service installed temporary “anti-climb measures,” known as “pencil points” or steel spikes, at the top of the perimeter fence around the White House.

In order to further deter potential trespassers, the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) recently approved final designs for a new perimeter fence and gates for the White House that will lengthen the fence by around four feet.

DCist reported that the planned perimeter fence will be 11’7’’ with “pencil point” anti-climb fixtures at the top. The current fence is roughly eight feet high and encloses approximately 18 acres of land. The White House fence was first installed around 1803 and now features seven pedestrian and six vehicular gates.

Vehicle gates will also be crash-tested, while pedestrian gates will have a “vertical picket concept.” Construction is slated to begin in 2018.

This lengthening of the perimeter fence is the first phase of a comprehensive security plan meant to further protect the White House. The following phases will consider fence options for the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and the Treasury Building.

• Plan For New White House Fence Clears Final Hurdle [DCist]