Better late than never.

After two years and $34 million, the iconic reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial is reopening, according to the National Park Service.

The construction walls will be taken down Friday and the park service said the area on the National Mall will soon be open to the public, the Associated Press reported.

The pool will be shallower and will draw water from the Tidal Basin that will be cleaned and recirculated. Previously water was drawn from city reserves and not treated. The renovation also includes a tinted bottom, sidewalks instead of dirt paths and nighttime illumination.

The park service has delayed the reopening of the pool several times since it pushed back its debut originally slated for spring 2012 and most recently it told the AP it had scheduled a public reopening of the pool for Aug. 31 (today). Earlier this year, NPS officials told The Washington Examiner construction was "a little behind schedule" but they expected to have the pool opened in time for the Fourth of July holiday.

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The reflecting pool was dedicated in 1922, shortly after the Lincoln Memorial opened. Built on land dredged from the Potomac River, the pool feel into decline in recent years as the land began to sink, causing water to leak.

lfarmer@washingtonexaminer.com