Metro Reroutes D74 D96 for Construction Year

D74 and D96 buses detour around Connecticut Avenue underpass closure through 2026

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DC Metro Reroutes D74, D96 Buses for Year

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Two DC bus routes will take different paths through Dupont Circle for the next year as construction closes Connecticut Avenue's underpass lanes. WMATA announced Tuesday that routes D74 and D96 will detour starting September 23 due to a District Department of Transportation project between Dupont Circle and Q Street, NW. The detour affects one of downtown's busiest transit corridors and will remain in place through September 2026.

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The Connecticut Avenue underpass carries thousands of daily bus riders through one of Washington's most congested areas. DDOT's construction project will close the underpass lanes for a full year, forcing buses onto surface streets. Transit officials said the work is necessary but didn't specify what improvements the project involves. The closure affects a key connection between upper Northwest neighborhoods and downtown, where many riders transfer to Metro's Red Line at Dupont Circle Station.

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Route D74 will detour along New Hampshire Avenue in both directions, with alternative stops available on New Hampshire Avenue and 19th Street. Route D96's northbound service won't require a detour, but southbound buses will reroute via Q Street and 19th Street. Riders transferring to the Red Line should use Dupont Circle Station's south entrance at 19th Street rather than the north entrance at Q Street. WMATA advised passengers to allow extra travel time and avoid the area if possible during the year-long construction period.

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The detour takes effect September 23, 2025, and continues through September 23, 2026. Transit officials said they'll maintain the rerouted service throughout the construction period but didn't provide details about whether DDOT might complete work earlier. The year-long timeline suggests substantial infrastructure work, though specific project details weren't available.

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Riders should expect longer travel times on both routes throughout the construction period, particularly during peak hours when downtown traffic is heaviest. WMATA said passengers can sign up for MetroAlerts for service updates. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and alternative route suggestions for D74 and D96 riders navigating the detour.