Metro Reroutes Buses for Alexandria Marathon
Metro A11 and A12 buses detour around Old Town Alexandria for half marathon April 26
Metro Reroutes A11, A12 Buses for Alexandria Race
Two Metro bus routes will detour around Alexandria's Old Town on Sunday morning for the PNC Alexandria Half Marathon, transit officials said. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced the temporary changes affecting routes A11 and A12 from 4:00am until 12:30pm on April 26, 2026. The detours stem from street closures on S Washington St between Gibbon St and Green St, where runners will pass through the historic district.
Marathon Course Requires Street Closures
The PNC Alexandria Half Marathon requires temporary street closures through Alexandria's waterfront area, affecting regular bus operations in the corridor. Transit agencies typically reroute buses during major running events to maintain service while accommodating road closures for participant safety. The 8.5-hour detour window allows for race setup, the event itself, and post-race teardown. Metro coordinates with local officials months in advance to plan alternative routes that minimize rider impact during community events.
Detailed Detour Routes for Both Lines
Route A11 northbound to Pentagon will detour via S Patrick St at Franklin St, then resume its regular route on N Washington St at Oronoco St. Southbound A11 buses heading to Huntington will detour on N Washington St at Princess St before returning to the normal route on Old Richmond Hwy at Ft Hunt Rd. Route A12 Ballston-Hunting Point will operate only between Ballston Station and a temporary terminus at S Washington St at King St, stop ID 4000025. Regular service patterns will resume once street closures lift at 12:30pm.
Sunday Morning Service Modifications
The detours take effect at 4:00am Sunday, April 26, 2026, and continue through 12:30pm, Metro confirmed. The early start time accommodates pre-race street closures and staging areas for the half marathon. Transit officials said alternative stops will be available along detour routes, though some regular stops won't be served during the eight-and-a-half-hour period. Metro advises riders to allow extra travel time for trips through the affected area.
Planning Around the Detours
Riders using routes A11 and A12 on Sunday morning should expect longer travel times and different stop locations in Old Town Alexandria. Metro said passengers can sign up for service alerts to receive real-time updates about the detours and when regular service resumes. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and alternative route suggestions for Metro riders navigating service changes during special events.
