DC Buses Reroute for Connecticut Avenue Work
D74 and D96 buses detour around Connecticut Avenue underpass closure through Sept 2026
DC Bus Routes D74, D96 Detour for Year-Long Work
Two WMATA bus routes serving Dupont Circle will detour for a year starting Tuesday as construction closes Connecticut Avenue's underpass lanes. Routes D74 and D96 will reroute around the work zone between Dupont Circle and Q Street NW through September 2026, transit officials said. The District Department of Transportation project affects a key corridor connecting downtown Washington neighborhoods, and riders should expect longer travel times during the construction period.
Context & Background
The Connecticut Avenue underpass carries buses beneath the Dupont Circle traffic circle, one of Washington's busiest intersections. DDOT's infrastructure project will close the underpass lanes for repairs and improvements, forcing surface-street detours for transit vehicles. Routes D74 and D96 serve residential neighborhoods north of downtown and connect riders to the Red Line metro station at Dupont Circle. The year-long timeline reflects the complexity of underground work in the historic district, where utilities and aging infrastructure require careful coordination.
Key Details
Route D74 will detour along New Hampshire Avenue in both directions throughout the construction period. Route D96 operates differently: northbound buses won't require a detour and will maintain regular routing, while southbound D96 buses will detour via Q Street and 19th Street. Alternative bus stops are available on New Hampshire Avenue and 19th Street for passengers on affected routes. Transit officials said the detours are designed to minimize additional travel time while keeping buses moving around the closed underpass.
Timeline & Implementation
The detours take effect Tuesday, September 23, 2025, and will remain in place through Wednesday, September 23, 2026. WMATA announced the changes in coordination with DDOT's construction schedule. Riders transferring between buses and the Red Line at Dupont Circle Station should use the south entrance at 19th Street rather than the north entrance at Q Street during construction, officials said. The agency will provide updates through MetroAlerts as the project progresses.
Rider Impact & Moovit
Passengers using routes D74 and D96 should allow extra travel time and consider alternative routes if possible during the year-long construction period. Riders can check Moovit for real-time bus locations and updated arrival times reflecting the detour routes. Transit officials encouraged passengers to plan trips in advance and stay informed about service changes throughout the construction timeline.
