C63 Bus Detours Around Franklin St Construction

C63 bus westbound service detours via South Dakota Avenue through May 2026 construction

C63 Bus Detours on Franklin St Through May 2026

Washington Metro's C63 bus route will detour around construction on Franklin Street NE through mid-May 2026, affecting westbound riders heading toward Georgia Avenue. The detour began immediately and continues through Friday, May 15, 2026, transit officials said. Eastbound service toward Deanwood won't be affected by the construction work between 20th and 22nd streets.

Construction Prompts Service Adjustment

The Franklin Street construction project requires temporary route modifications to maintain safe bus operations through the work zone. WMATA typically implements detours when street work blocks regular bus paths or creates unsafe conditions for passengers boarding and alighting. The agency advises riders to allow extra travel time during construction-related detours, as alternate routes can add several minutes to trip times. Officials didn't specify what type of construction work is underway or whether it's a city infrastructure project or utility work.

Westbound Buses Take Alternate Path

Westbound C63 buses will leave their regular route at Vista Street, turning onto South Dakota Avenue NE to bypass the construction zone. The buses will then rejoin Franklin Street NE at 15th Street to continue their normal path toward Georgia Avenue. The detour affects only westbound service, while eastbound buses toward Deanwood will maintain their standard route throughout the construction period. Officials haven't said how many daily trips the detour affects or provided ridership figures for the C63 route.

Detour Runs Through Mid-May

The temporary route change took effect immediately upon announcement and will remain in place through Friday, May 15, 2026. WMATA encourages passengers to sign up for MetroAlerts to receive updates about the detour and any potential changes to the timeline. Officials didn't say whether the May 15 end date could be extended if construction work runs longer than planned.

Riders Should Plan for Extra Time

Passengers using westbound C63 service should allow additional travel time while the detour's in effect, transit officials said. The agency encourages riders to avoid the construction area if possible and consider alternate routes for trips through Northeast DC. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and trip planning for C63 and all WMATA routes, helping riders navigate service changes and find the fastest available connections.