C81 Bus Detours Around Kennedy Street Construction

WMATA C81 bus will detour around Kennedy Street NW construction starting June 30

WMATA C81 Bus Detours on Kennedy Street June 30

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 route, which connects Fort Totten and Sibley Hospital, will be affected in both directions with no end date announced. Riders should expect longer travel times and consider alternate routes during the closure.

Construction Closure Prompts Route Changes

The detour stems from construction work requiring the full closure of Kennedy Street NW between 13th and 14th streets, according to WMATA. The agency updated its service advisory Monday, April 13 at 3:30 PM but didn't specify the nature of the construction project or which entity is performing the work. Transit agencies typically implement detours when street closures prevent buses from accessing their regular routes. Officials haven't said how long the construction is expected to last.

Eastbound and Westbound Detour Routes Detailed

Eastbound buses heading toward Fort Totten will detour via Military Road NW at 14th Street, then resume the regular route on Kennedy Street NW at Georgia Avenue, officials said. Westbound buses traveling toward Sibley Hospital will detour on Kennedy Street NW at 5th Street before returning to the regular route on Military Road NW at 16th Street. The detours affect the route's path through the Kennedy Street corridor but maintain service to both terminal points. WMATA didn't provide information about whether any bus stops will be temporarily relocated or eliminated during the detour period.

Detour Begins June 30 With No End Date Set

The route changes take effect June 30, 2025, and will continue until further notice, according to WMATA. Officials haven't announced when they expect to restore regular C81 service on Kennedy Street NW. The agency said it'll provide updates through its MetroAlerts system but didn't specify how much advance notice riders will receive before the detour ends.

Riders Advised to Plan Extra Travel Time

Passengers are advised to allow additional travel time and avoid the area if possible during the detour period, WMATA said. The agency encourages riders to stay informed about service changes through its alert system. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and detour updates for WMATA routes, helping riders navigate temporary service changes and plan trips with current route information.