For the most part, Metro was built as approved in 1968, but subsequent events required some alterations. Following the riots of April 1968, District of Columbia officials rerouted the mid-city line in an attempt to encourage the rebuilding of burned-out areas. Elsewhere, the system's planners and architect had to walk carefully in sensitive territory, including the national Mall. In 1977 and 1978, the federal government insisted that local governments reconsider the unbuilt portion of the system. Only in early 2001 did WMATA complete all the lines planned in 1968.