DC Metro Reroutes C41, C51 for SE Construction

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

DC C41 Bus Route Detours March 9 for Construction

Riders on Washington's C41 and C51 bus routes will encounter detours starting March 9 due to construction on Pennsylvania Ave SE at Potomac Ave, transit officials said. The changes affect southbound service on both routes and will remain in place until further notice. WMATA announced the temporary detour affects buses heading toward Anacostia, while northbound service continues without changes.

Construction Impact on Southeast Corridor

The construction work on Pennsylvania Ave SE at Potomac Ave requires rerouting buses that typically serve this Southeast Washington corridor. Transit officials said the project's expected to impact traffic flow throughout the area. The C41 and C51 routes serve neighborhoods between Anacostia and destinations north, including West Hyattsville and Tenleytown. Officials didn't provide details about the construction project's scope or estimated completion date.

Southbound Routes Reroute via 17th Street

The C41 southbound to Anacostia will detour via 17th St SE at Potomac Ave before resuming 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 on both routes operates without changes—the C41 to West Hyattsville and C51 to Tenleytown maintain regular routing. Officials said the detour adds stops along 17th St SE but didn't specify how much additional travel time riders should expect.

Detour Remains Until Construction Completes

The detour takes effect March 9, 2026, and continues until further notice, transit officials confirmed. WMATA didn't announce a timeline for when construction will finish or when buses will return to regular routing. Officials advised passengers to allow additional travel time and consider alternative routes during the construction period.

Riders Should Plan for Extended Travel Times

Passengers should expect longer trips on southbound C41 and C51 routes during construction, officials said. Transit officials recommend allowing extra time for travel to ensure on-time arrivals. Moovit provides real-time bus locations and updated routing information for WMATA's C41 and C51 routes during the detour period.