{{short description|Daily bus line in Washington, D.C., US}} {{More citations needed|date=September 2019}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox bus line |box_width = 300px |number = D70 |logo = <!-- bus logo (ex: Image_name.png) --> |logo_width = <!-- width of bus logo --> |logo_alt = <!-- logo image alternate text (only works if logo_width is supplied) --> |bgcolor = <!-- background color for infobox title (hex codes need a '#', i.e. #00ff33 not 00ff33) --> |titlecolor = <!-- color of the title text (hex codes need a '#') --> |subheader = Connecticut Avenue Line |operatorlogo = Metrobus Logo 2025.svg |oplogo_width = 175px |image = WMATA New Flyer DE40LFA 6524 on Route L2.jpg |image_width = 300px |image_alt = <!-- This image cannot be displayed. --> |caption = Former Route L2 at Cleveland Park station |system = Metrobus |operator = Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |garage = Western |livery = |pvr = |status = Active |open = |close = |predecessors = L1, L2, L4 |night = |locale = Northwest |communities = Downtown, Dupont Circle, Kalorama Heights, Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, Forest Hills, Wakefield, Chevy Chase |landmarks = Farragut Square, Farragut West station, Farragut North station, Woodley Park station, National Zoo, Cleveland Park station, University of the District of Columbia, Van Ness-UDC station, Chevy Chase Circle |termini = <!-- used when route starts and stops at a single location, overrides the start and end parameters --> |start = Farragut Square |via = Connecticut Avenue NW |end = Chevy Chase Circle |length = |otherroutes = |compete = |ibus = |level = Daily |level1 = |frequency = 12-20 minutes |alt_frequency = |time = 30-35 minutes |day = 5:00 AM - 2:00 AM |zone = |timetable_link=[https://www.wmata.com/content/dam/wmata-com/Timetables/D70_timetable.pdf Connecticut Avenue Line] |ridership = 1,425,316 (FY 2025)<ref name=ridership>{{cite web | title=Metrobus FY2025 Annual Line Performance Report | website=wmata.com | url=https://www.wmata.com/about/records/upload/ALPR-FY2025_DRAFT_20260107.pdf | access-date=May 9, 2026}}</ref> |transfers = SmarTrip only |map = {{Connecticut Avenue Line}} |map_state = collapsed |map_name = <!-- name of the map (defaults to 'Route map') --> |previous_line = D6X |next_line = D72 |notes = }} The '''Connecticut Avenue Line''', designated '''Route D70''', is a daily bus route in Northwest Washington, D.C., operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. It operates between Chevy Chase Circle and Farragut Square via Connecticut Avenue NW, connecting multiple communities in Northwest. The line operates every 12 minutes during the weekday peak hours, 20 minutes during the off peak hours and every 30 minutes after 9 PM. Trips take roughly 30-35 minutes to complete.
==Route description== The D70 begins at Chevy Chase Circle, just south of Western Avenue and the Maryland state line. It continues down Connecticut Avenue NW continuing south until it reaches Farragut Square. The D70 also passes underneath Dupont Circle via the Connecticut Avenue underpass.
Route D70 operates out of Western division.
===Former Services=== The former L1 began<ref group=Note name=Note01/> at the Potomac Park apartments at 18th and C Streets. It runs along Constitution Avenue via 18th and 20th Streets, and turned right on 23rd Street. The route proceeds through Foggy Bottom and the campus of the George Washington University until Washington Circle, where it switched to New Hampshire Avenue for just a few blocks. The route turned north onto 20th Street to avoid Dupont Circle, and eventually reached Connecticut Avenue by way of Massachusetts Avenue and Florida Avenue. The L2 started at Farragut Square, one block north<ref group=Note name=Note02/> of the southern terminus of Connecticut Avenue, then proceed north along the avenue. It passed underneath Dupont Circle via the Connecticut Avenue underpass, and turned onto the intersection with Florida Avenue and S Street.
The route continued north along the avenue. The L2 took a brief detour into Adams Morgan via Columbia Road, Calvert Street, and the Duke Ellington Bridge. Following Connecticut Avenue northbound, the route serve multiple stations of the Red Line, namely the Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, and Van Ness, until the Red Line diverts from Connecticut Avenue. The route also pass through the Woodley Park and Cleveland Park neighborhoods, of which the former also includes the National Zoological Park. In the Forest Hills neighborhood, the route also provide access to the Van Ness Campus of the University of the District of Columbia, the district's only public university.
Route L2 terminated at Chevy Chase Circle, just south of Western Avenue and the Maryland state line. Route L2 provided transfers to the L8, also known as the Connecticut Avenue–Maryland Line. Essentially L2's continuation into Maryland, the former L8 begins at the nearby Friendship Heights station and serves Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase, Kensington, and Aspen Hill.
The former L2 routing also incorporated '''Route L4''', which operated with the L1 and L2 until 2012.<ref name="L4">{{cite news |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2009/02/first_look_at_possible_metro_s.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106135953/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2009/02/first_look_at_possible_metro_s.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 6, 2010 |title=First Look at Possible Metro Service Cuts |newspaper=The Washington Post |author=Robert Thomson |date=February 19, 2009 |accessdate=December 4, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagorailfan.com/wasdated.html|title=WASHINGTON DC TRANSIT ROUTES|website=www.chicagorailfan.com|access-date=2019-11-16|archive-date=2019-11-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104040543/https://www.chicagorailfan.com/wasdated.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
====Route D70 Stops==== <section begin=l2dc-table/> {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="font-size: 95%;" |- !Bus stop !Direction !Connections |- !colspan="3"|Washington, D.C. |- !17th Street NW / I Street NW<br /><small>Farragut Square</small> |Northbound stop,<br />Southbound terminal |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': A49, A58, D10, D20, D72, D80, D94, F19 <br>{{bus icon}} '''MTA Maryland Bus''': 901, 902, 904, 905, 909, 950, 995<br>{{bus icon}} '''Loudoun County Transit'''<br>{{bus icon}} '''PRTC OmniRide'''<br>{{rint|rail|size=12}} '''Washington Metro''': {{WMATA icon|Blue}} {{WMATA icon|Orange}} {{WMATA icon|Silver}} <small>(at Farragut West station)<br></small> {{WMATA icon|Red}} <small>(at Farragut North station)</small><br> |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / L Street NW<br /><small>Farragut North station</small> |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D72<br> {{rint|rail|size=12}} '''Washington Metro''': {{WMATA icon|Red}} |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / M Street NW |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D72 |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / N Street NW |Southbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D72 |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / R Street NW |Southbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D72 |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / S Street NW |Northbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D72 |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Florida Avenue NW |Northbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D72, D74 |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Leroy Place NW |Southbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D72, D74 |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / California Street NW |Northbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D72, D74 |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Wyoming Avenue NW |Southbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D72, D74 |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Kalorama Road NW |Bidirectional | |- !colspan="3"|Rock Creek / Taft Bridge |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Calvert Street NW<br /><small>Woodley Park station</small> |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': C51, C53<br>{{rint|rail|size=12}} '''Washington Metro''': {{WMATA icon|Red}} |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / 24th Street NW<br /><small>Woodley Park station</small> |Southbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': C51, C53<br>{{rint|rail|size=12}} '''Washington Metro''': {{WMATA icon|Red}} |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Woodley Road NW<br /><small>Woodley Park station</small> |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': C51, C53<br>{{rint|rail|size=12}} '''Washington Metro''': {{WMATA icon|Red}} |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Cathedral Avenue NW |Bidirectional | |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Smithsonian's National Zoo |Bidirectional | |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Devonshire Place NW |Bidirectional | |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Macomb Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Ordway Street NW<br /><small>Cleveland Park station</small> |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': C61, D72<br>{{rint|rail|size=12}} '''Washington Metro''': {{WMATA icon|Red}} |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Porter Street NW |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': C61, D72 |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Rodman Street NW |Southbound |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D72 |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Sedgwick Street NW |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D72 |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Tilden Street NW |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D72 |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Van Ness Street NW |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D72 |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Veazey Terrace NW<br /><small>Van Ness–UDC station</small> |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': D72<br>{{rint|rail|size=12}} '''Washington Metro''': {{WMATA icon|Red}} |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Yuma Street NW |Southbound | |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Albemarle Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Brandywine Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Chesapeake Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Davenport Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Ellicott Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Nebraska Avenue NW |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': C81, C85, C87 |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Huntington Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Jocelyn Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Military Road NW |Bidirectional | |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Legation Street NW |Southbound | |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / Livingston Street NW |Bidirectional | |- !Connecticut Avenue NW / McKinley Street NW |Bidirectional |{{bus icon}} '''Metrobus''': C83 |- !Chevy Chase Circle / Connecticut Avenue NW |Southbound stop,<br /> Northbound terminal |{{bus icon}} '''Ride On''': 1, 11 |- |}<section end="l2dc-table" />
==History== At different points, the Connecticut Avenue Line was al operated by the L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L7, L8, and L9. Eventually, the lines were converted into the '''Connecticut Avenue Line''' as the L1, L2, and L4, and then the '''Connecticut Avenue–Maryland Line''' as the L7 and L8.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Subway Stops Bring Metrobus Service Changes |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1981/01/01/new-subway-stops-bring-metrobus-service-changes/73567225-0882-45fa-b9b3-b8a9bacf17f6/ |website=The Washington Post |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=WASHINGTON DC TRANSIT ROUTES |url=https://www.chicagorailfan.com/bcwasrtd.html |website=www.chicagorailfan.com |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref>
Until June 17, 2012, the Connecticut Avenue Line was also served by the L4. The route operated from Dupont Circle to Chevy Chase Circle via Connecticut Avenue, of which the whole route overlapped with the L1 and L2.
On June 17, 2012, the line was restructured where the L1 would operate along Virginia Avenue NW, between 23rd and C streets NW. Route L2 would operate directly along Connecticut Avenue between Chevy Chase Circle and Farragut Square, while using the underpass at Dupont Circle, except for a diversion via Calvert Street and Columbia Road. Route L4 would be discontinued and replaced by routes L1 and L2 as the route was a duplicate to both the routes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/pressreleasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5233|title=Metro News Release|website=wmata.com|accessdate=12 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214065918/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/pressreleasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5233|archive-date=December 14, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On December 18, 2016, route L2 late night trips on Fridays and Saturdays were extended to both Friendship Heights station and Bethesda station due to earlier closure of Metrorail.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metrobus Service Changes, December 18 {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/Metrobus-Service-Changes-December-18.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |accessdate=27 May 2020}}</ref>
In 2018, WMATA released a study on the L1 and L2. Proposals sets goes as follows:<ref>{{cite web |title=ANC 3F resolution: L1/L2 bus proposals need more explanation and more community input {{!}} Forest Hills Connection {{!}}{{!}} News and Life in Our DC Neighborhood |url=https://www.foresthillsconnection.com/news/anc-3f-resolution-l1-l2-bus-proposals-need-more-explanation-and-more-community-input/ |access-date=25 January 2021 |date=18 May 2018}}</ref>
*Convert all route L1 trips to route L2 in order to simplify service options and increase weekday frequency between Chevy Chase Circle and Farragut Square *During weekends, terminate every other Route L2 trip at Woodley Park. Between Chevy Chase Circle to Woodley Park, buses would run every 20 minutes instead of every 30 minutes, BUT between Woodley Park and Farragut Square, buses would run every 60 minutes instead of every 30 minutes. *Have route L1 operate daily service terminate at 21st Street and Virginia Avenue NW instead of continuing south on 23rd Street and east on Constitution Avenue NW and northbound L1 trips be rerouted to operate along to go around Dupont Circle and north on Connecticut Ave NW instead of its current route via Massachusetts and Florida Avenues NW.
However, none of the proposals went through.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metrobus Service Evaluation Summary |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/bus/upload/Existing-Service-Summary.pdf |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Metro changes plans for L1 and L2 bus routes after riders push back {{!}} Forest Hills Connection {{!}}{{!}} News and Life in Our DC Neighborhood |url=https://www.foresthillsconnection.com/news/metro-changes-plans-for-l1-and-l2-bus-routes-after-riders-push-back/ |access-date=25 January 2021 |date=25 June 2018}}</ref>
During the COVID-19 pandemic, route L1 was suspended beginning on March 16, 2020 and route L2 operated on its Saturday supplemental schedule.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metro announces additional COVID-19 changes, including reduced service beginning Monday {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Metro-announces-additional-COVID-19-changes.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref> However on March 18, 2020, further changes happened with route L2 operating on its Sunday schedule and weekend service being suspended beginning on March 21, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=METRO SERVICE LEVELS & HOURS FURTHER REDUCED TO SUPPORT ESSENTIAL TRIPS ONLY, STARTING WEDNESDAY {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/METRO-SERVICE-FURTHER-REDUCED-TO-SUPPORT-ESSENTIAL-TRIPS-ONLY.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref> A modified schedule and all weekend service resumed on August 23, 2020 but Route L1 remained suspended and late night service to Bethesda station remained suspended.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metrobus Service Changes beginning August 23 {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/proposed-august-2020-metrobus-service-changes.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref>
On September 26, 2020, WMATA proposed to eliminate all route L1 service due to low federal funding. Route L1 has not operated since March 13, 2020 due to Metro's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite web |title=Proposed Service Adjustments by Jurisdiction |url=https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/budget/upload/proposed-service-adjustments-by-jurisdiction.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2yAnFIhNZRyVMm07dbgmkZO9jhR5aZWUeuhd1dWN2Y3RrXVvi0LHrqTLY |accessdate=27 September 2020}}</ref>
In February 2021, WMATA proposed to eliminate the L2 and replace it with a modified H2 and H4 which would run along Connecticut Avenue north of Calvert Street NW and Routes 42 and 43 south of Columbia Road NW to replace the L2 if WMATA does not get any federal funding.<ref>{{cite web |title=FY22 Proposed Metrobus Service Changes District of Columbia |url=https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/budget/upload/Proposed-DC-Bus-Changes.pdf |access-date=25 March 2021}}</ref>
On September 5, 2021, Route L2 service was increased to operate every 20 minutes daily between 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. This essentially replaced all Route L1 service as WMATA no longer lists the L1 on the WMATA website.<ref>{{cite web |title=Improved frequency and changes to Metrobus service begin Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021 |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/metrobus-service-changes-september-2021.cfm |access-date=16 August 2021}}</ref>
===Better Bus Redesign=== In 2022, WMATA launched its Better Bus Redesign project, which aimed to redesign the entire Metrobus Network and is the first full redesign of the agency's bus network in its history.
In April 2023, WMATA launched its Draft Visionary Network. As part of the drafts, WMATA proposed to have the L2 still operate between Chevy Chase Circle and Farragut Square, but the route would remain along Connecticut Avenue NW, not serving the Adams Morgan neighborhood. The route would also be extended north to Bethesda station via Connecticut Avenue and East-West Highway, a similar pattern the L2 had prior to March 2020. The line was named Route DC102 in the drafts. Service inside Adams Morgan via 24th Street, Calvert Street, and Columbia Road would be operated by proposed Routes DC104 (along Columbia Road), and DC213 (along Calvert Street).<ref>{{cite web |title=Draft Visionary District of Columbia Routes |url=https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/plans/Better-Bus/upload/DraftVisionaryRouteProfiles041723-EN_DC.pdf |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref>
During WMATA's Revised Draft Visionary Network, WMATA renamed the DC102 to Route D70, keeping the same routing. Service between Connecticut Avenue and Adams Morgan was to be replaced by proposed routes C51, C53, C55, and C57, having to transfer at Woodley Park station.<ref>{{cite web |title=Revised Visionary Network Route Summary |url=https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/plans/Better-Bus/upload/BBNR_Phase-2-Comment-Response-Summary-2.pdf |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref> However prior to the proposals, the D70 was cutback to Chevy Chase Circle with the extension to Bethesda station being shelved. All changes were then proposed during WMATA's 2025 Proposed Network.<ref>{{cite web |title=Proposed 2025 Network District of Columbia Routes |url=https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/plans/Better-Bus/upload/EN-DC-Route-Profiles-05-07-24.pdf |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Revised Visionary Network Route Summary |url=https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/plans/Better-Bus/upload/EN-Visionary-Route-Frequency-Table-05-10-24.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=District of Columbia Better Bus Routes |url=https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/plans/Better-Bus/upload/Resource_2025-Route-Profiles_District-of-Columbia.pdf}}</ref>
On November 21, 2024, WMATA approved its Better Bus Redesign Network.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metro Board of Directors approves Better Bus Network Redesign, new bus routes to start next summer |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Metro-Board-of-Directors-approves-Better-Bus-Network-Redesign-new-bus-routes-to-start-next-summer.cfm |website=WMATA |access-date=23 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
Beginning on June 29, 2025, the L2 was changed to remain straight on Connecticut Avenue NW and no longer serve Adams Morgan or Duke Ellington Bridge, and it was renamed into the D70, partially reincarnating the former L1. Service along Calvert Street was covered by Route C51 (former Route 96), C53 (former Route 92) and service on Columbia Road was covered by Route D72 (former Routes 42 and 43).<ref>{{cite web |title=Metro Board of Directors approves Better Bus Network Redesign, new bus routes to start next summer |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Metro-Board-of-Directors-approves-Better-Bus-Network-Redesign-new-bus-routes-to-start-next-summer.cfm |website=WMATA |access-date=23 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
==Notes== {{reflist|group=Note|refs= <ref name=Note01>Caution: As of September 5, 2021, the L1 route has not operated since early 2020. It was discontinued on September 5, 2021 and replaced by frequent L2 service. See the History section for this entry.</ref> <ref name=Note02>The southern end of Connecticut Ave NW is at the northwest corner of Lafayette Square, where the avenue intersects with H St NW. At that intersection, the north-south street changes name from Connecticut Avenue NW to Jackson Place NW.</ref> }}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.wmata.com/bus/ Metrobus]
D70