Major Delays Expected Near CareFirst Arena for CAA Finals and Dupont Circle Construction

Morning Commute Overview for Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Washington D.C. commuters should prepare for a busy Tuesday as the final day of the CAA Men’s Basketball Championship coincides with several long-term infrastructure projects. Major arteries, particularly around Dupont Circle and Southeast D.C., are seeing significant lane restrictions. Travelers using public transit should also note that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has implemented a modified service schedule for both rail and bus operations today.

Metro Alerts and Public Transport Changes

WMATA has announced a modified Tuesday schedule for both rail and bus service. Commuters should check the official transit app for specific trip adjustments as headways may be longer than usual. Key station alerts include:

• Mt Vernon Square: The back elevator servicing the Platform and Mezzanine levels is out of service for a major two-month rehabilitation project.
• West Hyattsville: Escalator modernization continues, with one escalator out of service at all times through June.
• Bethesda: Mezzanine construction for the future Purple Line connection remains active, though the station remains open for Red Line service.
• DC Streetcar: As the service prepares to end entirely on March 31, weekday headways have been increased to 20 minutes. Commuters on the H Street and Benning Road corridor are encouraged to utilize the Metrobus D20 as an alternative.

Major Roadworks and Artery Closures

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has several active work zones impacting the morning and evening rush:

• Connecticut Avenue NW: Service lanes remain closed from Q Street to Dupont Circle for the ongoing deckover project. This is causing significant merging delays for southbound traffic heading toward the underpass.
• Pennsylvania Avenue SE: A major roadway project between 27th Street SE and Alabama Avenue SE is causing lane narrowings and intermittent flagging.
• Benning Road NE: Utility relocation work for the Bridge and Transportation Improvements Project is active near the bridges, creating slow-moving traffic for those entering the city from the east.
• Georgia Avenue NW: Construction between Girard Street and Howard Place is affecting traffic flow near Howard University.

Event Traffic: CAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

Today marks the final day of the CAA Men’s Basketball Championship at the CareFirst Arena in Congress Heights. Localized congestion is expected around the arena from 11:00 a.m. through the evening. Drivers should expect heavy pedestrian traffic and potential road closures on Firth Sterling Avenue and near the Congress Heights Metro station. If you are attending the games, transit is highly recommended to avoid parking scarcity in the Southeast quadrant.