Metro advises customers of service impacts for U.S. – Africa Leaders Summit, beginning this weekend
The U.S. – Africa Leaders Summit, a National Special Security Event (NSSE), is expected to create significant traffic disruptions and road closures in Downtown Washington, DC, Dec. 10 – 16 impacting Metrobus and MetroAccess service. The Mt Vernon Sq Station located inside the security perimeter will also be closed at the request of U.S. Secret Service over four days.
Metrobus customers are advised to be prepared for detours and delays in the Mt Vernon Square area. The security perimeter will span several blocks closing roads around the Washington Convention Center for the gathering of world leaders. Beginning with the start of service on Saturday, December 10, Metrobus will begin detouring buses on eight routes: 70, 79, 74, 63, 64, D4, G8, S2 when road closures are scheduled to begin.
Normal bus service will resume on these routes as roads reopen, with detours in effect through as late as midnight on Friday, December 16. View the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Bus Advisory for detailed detour information.
Customers on these routes should allow additional travel time to account for detours and delays. As a result of the road closures, Metro’s real-time service information through BusETA and Metro’s Trip Planner may not accurately reflect the detoured service.
MetroAccess customers are advised that door-to-door service will not be available within the security perimeter and delays are possible due to road closures in the area. Efforts will be made to provide drop-off service as close as possible if traveling to/from a location in the restricted area. MetroAccess will operate normal service outside of the Mt Vernon Square area and is notifying customers of the potential impacts.
Additionally, at the request of the U.S. Secret Service, the Mt. Vernon Sq Station which is within the secure area where the summit is taking place, will be closed starting at 5:00 pm, Monday, December 12, through system closing on Thursday, December 15, 2022. Green Line trains will pass through the station without stopping, with normal service to all other stations. Rail service to the station is expected to resume with the start of service on Friday, December 16.
Due to the wide security perimeter, it is not feasible to provide shuttle buses to/from Mt Vernon Sq. Customers are encouraged to use the Gallery Place-Chinatown or Shaw-Howard U stations as an alternative.
- Gallery Place is approximately four blocks from the Mt Vernon Sq Station and about a 5-7-minute walk. Exit at the 7th & H streets entrance at Gallery Place Station and walk north on 7th Street to reach Mt Vernon Sq.
- Shaw-Howard U is approximately five blocks from Mt Vernon Sq Station, about a 10-minute walk. Exit from the 7th and R streets entrance and walk south on 7th Street to reach Mt Vernon Sq.
Signage will be posted in stations and at all bus stops within the security perimeter to alert customers of station and road closures, detours and nearby alternatives. Emergency rail transfers will be made available for bus customers wishing to use rail as an alternative through the security zone.
Metro will also communicate changes to customers through train and station announcements, as well as our social media channels on Twitter @MetrobusInfo, @MetrorailInfo and @wmata, through MetroAlerts text and email messages, and on our website at wmata.com/alerts.
Customers are encouraged to check for the latest information and sign up for MetroAlerts if your travel plans go through the Mt Vernon Square area. Metro customers service teams are also available to assist seven days a week from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. weekdays, and weekends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Representatives respond to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram social posts, emails and chat conversations. Customers may also get information by calling 202-637-7000 or visiting wmata.com.
BUS DETOUR MAP
