DC-Maryland-Virginia Buses Reroute for Community Fair
Three Metrobus routes detour around Arlington County Fair on August 10
WMATA Detours 3 Bus Routes for Arlington Fair
Three Metrobus routes will take a different path through Arlington on Sunday, August 10, as WMATA implements a temporary detour for the annual Arlington County Fair. Routes 23A, 23B, and 23T won't serve two stops on S. Old Glebe Road between 5:00 AM and 11:59 PM that day, transit officials said. The detour affects southbound service near Thomas Jefferson Community Center, where the fair takes place.
Context & Background
Transit agencies routinely adjust routes for community events that close streets or increase pedestrian activity, according to standard industry practice. The Arlington County Fair is an annual event at Thomas Jefferson Community Center that has historically required temporary transit adjustments, though details about detours in previous years weren't immediately available. WMATA classified this as a high-severity alert, indicating riders should expect notable changes to regular service. The fair draws large crowds to the S. Old Glebe Road area, necessitating the temporary route modification.
Key Details
Buses will detour via S. Glebe Road, 4th Street S., and Columbia Pike instead of using S. Old Glebe Road between 2nd Street S. and Columbia Pike. Two stops won't be served during the detour: S. Old Glebe Road at Columbia Pike and S. Old Glebe Road at 3rd Street S. The detour will affect riders on three Metrobus routes in Arlington, though WMATA hasn't released specific ridership impact estimates. Officials didn't provide information about how many passengers typically use the affected stops on Sundays.
Timeline & Implementation
The detour takes effect at 5:00 AM on August 10 and continues through 11:59 PM the same day. WMATA posted the service alert on its website ahead of the event, though the specific announcement date wasn't available. Transit agencies typically notify riders several weeks before service changes, and this alert follows that pattern by providing advance notice to passengers.
Rider Impact & Moovit
Riders who normally use the two affected stops should plan to board at nearby stops along the detour route or allow extra travel time. WMATA announced the temporary detour through its service alert system but didn't provide additional commentary about alternative transportation options. Moovit provides real-time updates for WMATA Metrobus routes, helping riders navigate temporary detours and service changes throughout the DC-Maryland-Virginia region.
