Metro Reroutes 10 Lines for Downtown 5K Event
Ten WMATA bus routes detour around downtown DC for PanCan Purple Stride 5K race
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, transit officials said. The changes affect D10, D1X, D30, D32, D40, D4X, D44, D50, D60, and D6X routes from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon. Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue will be closed between 3rd Street and 12th Street NW, forcing buses onto alternate paths.
Event Requires Major Downtown Street Closures
The PanCan Purple Stride 5K requires extensive street closures in the heart of the nation's capital, affecting major corridors used by multiple bus routes. WMATA typically implements detours for large downtown events that close Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue, two of the system's most heavily used bus corridors. The closures will impact various cross streets in the area, creating a significant detour zone. Transit agencies generally coordinate with event organizers weeks in advance to plan alternate routing that minimizes rider impact while maintaining service.
Routes Split Into Two Detour Periods
The detour will be in effect from Friday, April 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM through Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 3:00 PM, with different patterns for two time periods. Friday evening service from 6:00 PM to 3:00 AM will follow one set of detours, while Saturday service from 3:00 AM to 3:00 PM will use different routing. The D10 Pennsylvania Avenue route will have separate detour patterns for eastbound and westbound directions during both periods. Several routes including D1X, D30, D32, D40, D4X, D44, D60, and D6X will operate between their origin stations and designated temporary bus stops on Saturday rather than completing their full routes.
Service Returns to Normal Saturday Afternoon
Regular routing will resume at 3:00 PM on Saturday, April 25, once street closures are lifted and the event concludes. WMATA didn't specify how much additional travel time riders should expect during the detour periods. The agency said passengers should plan for longer trips and consider alternative routes if traveling through the affected downtown area during the event window.
Riders Can Track Real-Time Service Changes
Commuters and weekend travelers should expect delays and route modifications throughout the detour period, particularly those using buses that serve downtown federal buildings and tourist areas. WMATA encouraged passengers to sign up for MetroAlerts for real-time service information. Moovit provides live bus tracking and alternate route suggestions for WMATA services affected by the downtown closures.
