DC Metro Adjusts 10 Routes for 5K Event

Ten WMATA bus routes detour around downtown Washington for PanCan 5K race April 24-25

DC Metro Reroutes 10 Bus Lines for 5K Race

Ten WMATA bus routes will detour around downtown Washington this weekend as street closures take effect for the PanCan Purple Stride 5K event. The detours begin Friday, April 24 at 6:00 PM and continue through Saturday, April 25 at 3:00 PM, transit officials said. Routes D10, D1X, D30, D32, D40, D4X, D44, D50, D60, and D6X will all operate on modified paths during the event.

Street Closures Span Downtown Core

The race route requires extensive street closures in downtown Washington, primarily affecting Pennsylvania Avenue, Constitution Avenue, and surrounding streets between 3rd Street and 12th Street NW. Transit agencies typically reroute buses around major events to maintain service while accommodating temporary street closures. WMATA implements different detour patterns during two time periods: Friday evening from 6:00 PM to 3:00 AM and Saturday from 3:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The agency didn't specify exactly which cross streets will be closed or provide a detailed map of the closure boundaries.

Routes Split Into Two Service Patterns

The D10 Pennsylvania Avenue route will have different detour patterns for eastbound and westbound directions during both time periods, officials said. Eight routes—D1X, D30, D32, D40, D4X, D44, D60, and D6X—will operate on shortened schedules Saturday, running only between their origin stations and designated temporary bus stops rather than their regular destinations. Officials didn't release specific locations for the temporary stops or say how much additional travel time riders should expect. The D50 route will also be affected, though specific detour details for that line weren't provided.

Detours End Saturday Afternoon

All routes will return to normal service Saturday, April 25 at 3:00 PM when street closures are lifted, according to WMATA. The agency said detour patterns differ between Friday evening and Saturday but didn't specify what those differences are for most routes. Officials encouraged passengers to allow extra travel time during the detour period.

Riders Face Weekend Service Changes

Passengers traveling through downtown Washington should expect longer trips and possible transfers during the 21-hour detour period. Those using affected routes on Saturday morning may need to find alternative transportation for the final portion of their trips if their destination is beyond the temporary terminus points. Moovit provides real-time bus locations and detour updates for all WMATA routes during service changes.