Metro M82 Detours for Rockville Arts Festival
WMATA M82 bus route detours around downtown Rockville for annual arts festival May 1-3
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WMATA M82 Bus Detours for Rockville Arts Festival
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Metrobus riders on route M82 will need to plan for detours this weekend as the 14th Annual VisArts Rockville Arts Festival takes over downtown streets. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced the temporary route changes will be in effect from Friday, May 1, 2026, at 5:00 AM through Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 10:00 PM. The festival will close East Middle Lane and Maryland Avenue in Rockville, forcing buses to take alternate paths in both directions.
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The annual arts festival draws thousands of visitors to downtown Rockville each spring, requiring street closures that affect transit operations. East Middle Lane will be closed from Citizen's Bank/Helen Heneghan Way to Gibbs Street, while Maryland Avenue will be closed from the Garage A entrance to E. Montgomery Avenue. Transit officials said the detours are necessary to accommodate the festival while maintaining bus service through the area. The M82 route typically serves as a key connection between Rockville Station and Friendship Heights.
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Route M82 River Rd-Falls Rd will operate on a modified path in both directions during the festival weekend. Northbound buses toward Rockville will detour on N Washington Street at E Middle Lane before resuming the regular route at Rockville Station. Southbound buses toward Friendship Heights will detour on Park Road at Hungerford Drive, then resume the regular route on W Montgomery Avenue at N Adams Street. Officials didn't specify whether the detours will add significant travel time to trips.
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The detour takes effect at 5:00 AM on Friday, May 1, and continues through 10:00 PM on Sunday, May 3, according to WMATA. The agency said buses will return to regular routing once the festival concludes and street closures are lifted. Officials encouraged passengers to sign up for MetroAlerts for real-time service updates during the detour period.
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Riders should expect longer travel times and plan extra time for trips through downtown Rockville during the festival weekend. Officials said passengers can check for real-time bus locations and updated arrival times during the detour. Moovit provides real-time updates for WMATA routes, including detour information and alternate travel options during service changes.
