DC Metro Routes Detour for IMF Spring Meeting

Three DC bus routes to detour April 13-19 for IMF Spring Meeting street closures

DC Bus Routes Detour for IMF Spring Meeting

Three Washington DC bus routes will detour around Northwest DC streets during the IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meeting in mid-April. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced the temporary changes affecting routes A49, D96, and F19 from April 13-19, 2026. The detours accommodate street closures on H Street and 19th Street near the meeting venue, with most changes affecting westbound and southbound service.

Street Closures Drive Service Changes

The detours stem from security-related street closures required for the international financial meeting. Several blocks in Northwest DC will be closed during the event, including H Street from 19th to 20th Street and from Pennsylvania Avenue to 20th Street, as well as 19th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to G Street. Transit officials said the closures are necessary to accommodate the high-profile gathering of global finance leaders. The IMF and World Bank hold their Spring Meetings annually, typically drawing thousands of delegates and requiring extensive security measures in the host city.

Different Routes Face Varying Detour Periods

The three affected routes won't all detour for the same duration, WMATA officials said. Route F19 will detour for the entire event period, from Monday, April 13 at 3:30am until Sunday, April 19 at 2:00pm. Routes A49 and D96 will face shorter detours, operating on modified paths only from Wednesday, April 15 at 4:00pm until Friday, April 17 at 7:00pm. The detours will primarily affect buses traveling westbound and southbound in the affected areas, while most eastbound and northbound routes will continue on their regular paths without changes.

Implementation Spans Six Days

The detour period begins early Monday morning, April 13, 2026, at 3:30am and continues through Sunday afternoon, April 19 at 2:00pm. WMATA said the early start time allows buses to begin operating on detour routes before morning rush hour service intensifies. The agency has provided specific detour routes for each affected direction of travel, though officials didn't specify whether additional travel time should be expected on the modified routes.

Riders Can Track Real-Time Changes

Passengers using the affected routes should expect temporary stops to be relocated during the detour period. Transit officials encouraged riders to sign up for service alerts to receive updates about the changes. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and detour information for all WMATA routes, helping riders navigate the temporary service modifications and find alternative connections if needed.