Metro Adjusts Five Routes for DC Church Event

Five WMATA bus routes detour around 16th St NW closures for church event March 29

WMATA Reroutes 5 Bus Lines for Church Event March 29

Five WMATA bus routes will detour around street closures in Northwest D.C. on Sunday morning for a church event, transit officials said. Routes C61, D60, D6X, D72, and D74 will operate on modified paths from 10:30am to 12:30pm on March 29, 2026, due to an event at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The closures affect several blocks around the intersection of 16th St and Park Rd NW.

Street Closures Create Network-Wide Impact

The temporary closures include Park Rd between 17th St and 16th St NW, 16th St between Park Rd and Irving St NW, Irving St between 16th St and Mt Pleasant St NW, and Mt Pleasant St between Irving St and Park Rd NW. The affected area sits at a key transit corridor where multiple bus routes converge, requiring coordinated detours across five separate lines. WMATA typically implements such detours for special events at houses of worship, particularly during major religious observances that draw large crowds. The two-hour window allows the agency to maintain service while accommodating the church event.

Each Route Takes Different Detour Path

The C61 Brookland-Tenleytown eastbound will detour via Adams Mill Rd, while westbound service continues on its regular route. The D60 and D6X routes will detour on 16th St in both northbound and southbound directions. The D72 Connecticut Av-Mt Pleasant will operate between Lafayette Sq and a bus stop on Harvard St NW during the closure period. The D74 Rhode Island Av-Foggy Bottom eastbound will detour on Columbia Rd, with westbound service unaffected. Officials didn't specify which regular stops will be temporarily skipped during the detours.

Two-Hour Detour Window Set for Sunday Morning

The detours take effect at 10:30am on Sunday, March 29, 2026, and will remain in place until 12:30pm. WMATA advised passengers to sign up for MetroAlerts for real-time service updates during the detour period. The agency typically restores normal service immediately after street closures are lifted, though officials didn't specify whether buses might experience residual delays returning to regular schedules.

Riders Should Plan Extra Travel Time

Passengers using affected routes should plan for additional travel time on Sunday morning, transit officials said. Riders traveling through the 16th St and Park Rd corridor will need to board at alternate stops along detour routes. Those with mobility concerns or unfamiliar with the area should check their specific trip details before departing. Moovit provides real-time bus locations and detour updates for all WMATA routes, helping riders navigate temporary service changes and find the nearest available stops during disruptions.