White House Speeds Xi-Visit Helipad Work, Adding $875,000 to $5-6 Million Project
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 6
White House Speeds Xi-Visit Helipad Work, Adding $875,000 to $5-6 Million Project
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 6
Summary
$875,000 in added costs was approved to accelerate a new White House helipad and driveway project for an upcoming state visit by Chinese President Xi, according to contractor records.
24/7 construction was ordered to cut more than a month from the original schedule, showing the work was being rushed to finish before Xi's arrival.
The project is part of a broader South Lawn overhaul Trump had already described as a $5 million to $6 million granite helipad tied to the new Marine One fleet.
Sikorsky was previously identified as paying for the main helipad project; the newly disclosed expedited costs highlight how the Xi visit is reshaping the timeline and budget.