What does 'complete' mean for the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool?

After months of construction and restricted access, visitors can once again walk alongside the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

The fencing that surrounded the iconic Washington DC landmark during the months-long renovations has been removed, restoring public access to the area.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak outside the Lincoln Memorial on Monday, Nov. 2, using the newly renovated Reflecting Pool as a backdrop for his final message before the midterm elections.

The reopening follows a renovation project that took considerably longer and cost significantly more than Trump initially anticipated.

Here's what happened and what visitors should know about the finished project.

What went wrong with the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovations?

Trump announced plans to renovate the Reflecting Pool in April, calling for its basin to receive a new blue coating resembling the colors of the American flag.

He initially said the project would take one to two weeks to complete and cost approximately $1.5 million. The goal was to have the work completed ahead of Fourth of July celebrations marking the nation's 250th anniversary.

But problems emerged shortly after the pool was refilled in early June. An algae bloom turned the water green, while sections of the newly applied coating began peeling away.

The pool was drained again in July so contractors could address the problems. An inspection commissioned by the contractor later found the new liner had failed in at least 85 places, including areas with blistering, peeling and cracks, according to a report obtained by The Washington Post.

Despite Trump saying damage had been caused by "vandals," the project's contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, acknowledged problems with the installation and agreed to complete repairs under its warranty.

The project also drew scrutiny over its cost. The company received a $14.7 million no-bid contract, while additional work brought the total awarded contracts to approximately $16.4 million.

What has changed at the Reflecting Pool?

Atlantic Industrial Coatings announced Oct. 5 that all warranty repairs had been completed three days earlier. Water began flowing back into the pool around Oct. 12, as contractors and the National Park Service worked on the final stages of the project.

The Interior Department previously said the work included replacing deteriorating water valves, flushing clogged pipes, sealing leaks and replacing the pool's water treatment system with a nanobubbler system.

The second round of repairs followed the failure of the original coating, which was intended to provide a longer-lasting surface and reduce the need for future maintenance.

Now, with the pool refilled and construction fencing removed, visitors can once again view the landmark's new blue appearance and walk along its surrounding pathways.

The reopening comes nearly seven months after Trump first announced the project and several months after the original target completion date.