DC Metro Adjusts D40 Route for Arena Events
D40 buses will detour around Capital One Arena from 10:30-11:59pm on March 23-24
DC D40 Bus Reroutes for Lady Gaga Shows
Washington DC's D40 bus route will detour around Capital One Arena during Lady Gaga concerts on March 23-24, transit officials said. The temporary reroutes affect both northbound and southbound buses from 10:30pm to 11:59pm each night. WMATA cited heavy vehicular and foot traffic around the downtown venue as the reason for the service adjustment.
Context
The D40 7th St-Georgia Ave route typically runs through downtown Washington's entertainment district, passing near Capital One Arena where major concerts and sporting events draw thousands of attendees. Transit agencies routinely implement temporary detours during large-scale events to maintain service reliability while managing congestion from increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic. WMATA didn't specify expected ridership impacts or how many buses typically operate on the route during late evening hours. The detour affects only the D40 route, with other downtown bus lines maintaining regular service.
Details
Northbound D40 buses traveling toward Silver Spring will detour on 7th St NW at E St and resume their regular route at L St, transit officials said. Southbound buses heading toward Archives will detour on 7th St NW at K St and return to their normal path at Constitution Ave. The reroutes skip several stops in the immediate arena vicinity during the two-hour windows. Officials didn't provide details on how many bus stops will be temporarily bypassed or whether shuttle service will be offered for affected stops.
Timeline
The detours take effect Monday, March 23 and Tuesday, March 24, 2026, from 10:30pm until 11:59pm each night. Regular D40 service will resume after 11:59pm on both evenings, officials confirmed. WMATA typically announces event-related detours several days in advance, though the agency didn't specify when it'll notify riders about future concert-related service changes.
Impact
Riders using D40 stops near Capital One Arena during concert hours should plan for potential delays and temporary stop closures, transit officials said. Passengers can sign up for service alerts through WMATA's notification system for real-time updates on detours and schedule changes. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and alternative route suggestions for D40 riders navigating temporary service adjustments in Washington DC.
