DC Metro Buses Reroute for Construction Work

C41 and C51 buses detour via 17th St SE starting March 9 due to Pennsylvania Ave construction

DC C41, C51 Bus Routes Detour for Construction

Two Washington Metro bus routes will detour around construction starting March 9, affecting riders traveling through Southeast DC. WMATA announced the temporary detour for C41 and C51 buses due to construction on Pennsylvania Ave SE at Potomac Ave, with no end date specified. The changes affect southbound service to Anacostia, while northbound trips continue on regular routes.

Construction Impacts Southeast Corridor

The detour stems from construction work at the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave SE and Potomac Ave, a key corridor connecting Capitol Hill neighborhoods to Anacostia. Transit officials said the work requires closing portions of Pennsylvania Ave SE to through traffic. WMATA didn't provide details about the construction project's scope or which agency is managing the work. Riders should expect longer travel times through the affected area, though officials haven't estimated how much additional time the detour will add.

Southbound Buses Reroute via 17th Street

The C41 southbound to Anacostia will detour via 17th St SE at Potomac Ave, then resume its regular route on Potomac Ave SE at 14th St, according to WMATA. The C51 southbound to Anacostia follows the same detour pattern. Northbound service remains unchanged—the C41 Bladensburg Rd northbound to W Hyattsville and C51 U St-Anacostia northbound to Tenleytown will operate without detours. Officials didn't specify which bus stops along Pennsylvania Ave SE will be temporarily closed or relocated during the construction period.

Detour Continues Until Further Notice

The detour takes effect March 9, 2026, and will continue until further notice, transit officials said. WMATA hasn't announced when the construction work is expected to finish or when buses will return to regular routing. The agency typically provides advance notice before ending detours, but a timeline for updates wasn't available.

Riders Advised to Plan Extra Time

Passengers are advised to allow additional travel time and avoid the area if possible, according to WMATA. The agency encourages riders to sign up for service alerts to receive updates about the detour and any schedule changes. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and alternate route suggestions for C41 and C51 riders navigating the construction detour.