DC Metro Buses Reroute for Underpass Work

D74 and D96 buses detour around Connecticut Avenue underpass for year-long DDOT project

WMATA D74 Bus Detours for Connecticut Ave Work

WMATA's D74 bus route will detour around Connecticut Avenue's underpass lanes for a full year starting September 23, transit officials said. The D96 route will also see southbound detours during the same period due to a District Department of Transportation construction project affecting the underpass between Dupont Circle and Q Street NW. Officials said passengers should expect longer travel times and consider alternative routes during the yearlong closure.

Construction Background

The DDOT project targets the Connecticut Avenue underpass lanes, a key corridor connecting Dupont Circle to areas north of Q Street NW. Transit officials said the construction requires closing the underpass to through traffic, forcing buses that normally use the tunnel to take surface streets instead. The work is scheduled to run through September 23, 2026, though officials haven't specified what improvements the project will deliver. WMATA typically coordinates with DDOT on major roadwork affecting multiple bus routes to minimize rider disruption.

Detour Details

Route D74 will detour along New Hampshire Avenue in both directions, bypassing the Connecticut Avenue underpass entirely. Route D96 northbound buses won't require a detour, but southbound D96 buses will reroute via Q Street and 19th Street to avoid the construction zone. Alternative bus stops are available on New Hampshire Avenue and 19th Street for passengers who normally board in the underpass area. Officials said riders transferring to the Red Line at Dupont Circle Station should use the south entrance at 19th Street rather than the north entrance at Q Street during the detour period.

Implementation Timeline

The detours take effect September 23, 2025, and will remain in place for exactly one year until September 23, 2026. WMATA officials said the extended timeline reflects the scope of DDOT's underpass construction work. The agency typically posts detour signs at affected stops several days before service changes begin, though officials haven't said when those signs will appear for this detour.

Rider Impact

Passengers using the D74 and southbound D96 routes should allow extra travel time throughout the yearlong detour, officials said. Those who normally transfer between buses and the Red Line at Dupont Circle will need to adjust their walking routes to reach the 19th Street station entrance instead of the Q Street entrance. Moovit provides real-time bus locations and updated arrival times for D74 and D96 routes during the detour period.