DC Metro Adjusts 10 Bus Routes for 5K Event
Ten WMATA bus routes detour around downtown DC for PanCan Purple Stride 5K race
DC Metro Reroutes 10 Bus Lines for 5K Race
Ten WMATA bus routes will detour around downtown Washington, DC, this weekend as the PanCan Purple Stride 5K closes major streets. The detours affect the D10, D1X, D30, D32, D40, D4X, D44, D50, D60, and D6X routes from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon, transit officials said. Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue will be closed between 3rd Street and 12th Street NW, forcing buses onto alternate paths.
Street Closures Drive Service Changes
The PanCan Purple Stride 5K requires extensive street closures in the heart of the nation's capital, affecting the corridor where multiple bus routes typically operate. Transit agencies routinely adjust service for special events that close major thoroughfares, particularly in downtown areas where multiple routes converge. The closures will impact major corridors between 3rd Street and 12th Street NW and various cross streets in the area. Officials said the detours are necessary to accommodate the race route while maintaining bus service to the greatest extent possible.
Two Detour Periods Planned
Different detour patterns will apply during two time periods, transit officials said. From Friday, April 24 at 6:00 PM through 3:00 AM Saturday, buses will follow one set of alternate routes. From 3:00 AM through 3:00 PM Saturday, a second detour pattern takes effect as race preparations intensify. The D10 Pennsylvania Avenue route will have different detour patterns for eastbound and westbound directions during both periods. Several routes including the D1X, D30, D32, D40, D4X, D44, D60, and D6X will operate on shortened schedules Saturday, terminating at temporary bus stops rather than their regular destinations.
Service Returns Saturday Afternoon
Normal bus service will resume at 3:00 PM Saturday, April 25, after race activities conclude and streets reopen. The detour will be in effect from Friday, April 24 at 6:00 PM through Saturday, April 25 at 3:00 PM. Officials didn't specify how long it'll take for all routes to return to regular schedules after the 3:00 PM end time. Transit agencies typically need 30 to 60 minutes to transition buses back to normal routes after street closures lift.
Riders Should Plan Ahead
Passengers traveling through downtown Washington this weekend should expect longer trip times and different stop locations. Officials encouraged riders to sign up for MetroAlerts for real-time service information as detour patterns change throughout the event period. Some riders may need to walk additional blocks to reach temporary bus stops. Moovit provides real-time updates for WMATA routes, helping riders navigate detours and find alternate connections during service changes.
