DC Bus Routes Detour for Year-Long Project
DC Metro routes D74 and D96 detour around Connecticut Avenue underpass for year-long project
DC Bus Routes D74, D96 Detour for Year
Two Washington Metro bus routes will detour around Connecticut Avenue's underpass lanes for a full year starting Tuesday, September 23, transit officials said. The District Department of Transportation construction project affects routes D74 and D96 between Dupont Circle and Q Street, NW. WMATA announced the detour will continue through September 23, 2026, requiring riders to allow extra travel time.
Construction Targets Key Downtown Corridor
The DDOT project focuses on the Connecticut Avenue underpass lanes, a critical section connecting downtown neighborhoods to the Dupont Circle area. The underpass carries significant bus and vehicle traffic through one of Washington's busiest commercial and residential districts. Officials said the year-long timeline reflects the complexity of infrastructure work in the confined underground space. The construction affects a corridor that serves thousands of daily transit riders commuting between Northwest neighborhoods and downtown employment centers.
Routes Split on Different Detour Paths
Route D74 will detour on New Hampshire Avenue in both directions during the construction period, transit officials said. Route D96 will only detour southbound on Q Street, maintaining its regular northbound path. Alternative bus stops are available on New Hampshire Avenue and 19th Street for affected routes. Buses will also serve stops along Massachusetts Avenue NW and Florida Avenue NW during the year-long detour. Officials said the different detour patterns reflect each route's service area and operational needs.
Detour Begins Late September 2025
The detour takes effect Tuesday, September 23, 2025, and continues through Wednesday, September 23, 2026, according to WMATA. Customers transferring to or from the Red Line at Dupont Circle Station may use the south/19th Street entrance instead of the north/Q Street entrance during construction. Transit officials advised passengers to avoid the area if possible and plan for additional travel time throughout the year-long project.
Riders Face Extended Service Changes
The year-long detour will require regular D74 and D96 riders to adjust their commuting patterns and allow extra time for trips through the Dupont Circle area. Passengers traveling to destinations normally served by Connecticut Avenue underpass stops will need to use alternative stops on nearby streets. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and detour updates for WMATA routes, helping riders navigate service changes and find the closest alternative stops during construction.
