C81 Bus Detours Around Kennedy Street Construction

WMATA C81 bus detours around Kennedy Street NW construction zone starting June 30

WMATA C81 Bus Detours on Kennedy Street NW

WMATA's C81 bus route will detour around Kennedy Street NW starting June 30 due to construction between 13th and 14th streets, transit officials said. The detour will remain in effect until further notice, though officials haven't specified when construction will be completed. Riders should expect alternate routing in both directions through the affected area.

Construction Impact on Kennedy Street Corridor

The construction work affects a one-block section of Kennedy Street NW, requiring buses to bypass the area entirely. Officials said the detour is necessary to ensure passenger safety and maintain service reliability during the construction period. The Kennedy Street corridor serves residential neighborhoods in the Brightwood area of Northwest Washington. Specific details about the construction project's scope and purpose weren't provided in the transit advisory.

Detour Routes for Eastbound and Westbound Service

Eastbound C81 buses traveling toward Fort Totten will detour via Military Road NW at 14th Street, then resume the regular route on Kennedy Street NW at Georgia Avenue. Westbound buses heading toward Sibley Hospital will detour on Kennedy Street NW at 5th Street, resuming the regular route on Military Road NW at 16th Street. The detours add several blocks to the route in each direction. Officials advised passengers to allow additional travel time and avoid the construction area if possible.

Timeline and Implementation Details

The detour takes effect June 30, 2025, and will continue until further notice, according to WMATA. The advisory was last updated Monday, April 13 at 3:30 PM. Officials haven't announced when they'll provide updates on construction progress or an estimated completion date. Transit agencies typically review temporary detours regularly and notify riders when service returns to normal routing.

Rider Information and Service Updates

Passengers can expect longer travel times through the affected area while the detour remains in place. Officials said riders should plan accordingly and consider alternate routes if traveling to destinations along the closed section of Kennedy Street NW. Moovit provides real-time updates for WMATA bus routes, including detour information and adjusted arrival times for C81 service during the construction period.