WMATA A71 Detours Around King Street Construction

WMATA A71 bus route detours around King Street construction May 1-5, 2026

WMATA A71 Route Detours for King St Work May 1-5

WMATA's A71 bus route will detour around King Street construction starting Friday, affecting riders traveling between Ballston and King Street Station. The temporary detour takes effect May 1, 2026, and runs through Tuesday, May 5, transit officials said. Construction will close King Street between Russell Road/Callahan Drive and Daingerfield Road, forcing route changes in both directions.

Construction Prompts Five-Day Route Modification

The street closure stems from construction work requiring full access to the King Street corridor, transit officials said. WMATA typically implements temporary detours when roadwork blocks regular bus routes, rerouting service to maintain connectivity while minimizing delays. The five-day detour affects one of the agency's key routes connecting Arlington County's Ballston neighborhood with Alexandria's King Street corridor. Officials said the construction timeline was coordinated to minimize disruption, though specific details about the project weren't provided.

Northbound and Southbound Buses Follow Different Paths

Northbound A71 buses will detour at Franklin Street, traveling along King Street before resuming the regular route at Melrose Street, according to WMATA. Southbound buses will begin detouring at Callahan Drive and return to the standard route at King Street Station. The detour paths were designed to keep buses as close to regular stops as possible while avoiding the construction zone. Officials didn't specify which regular stops will be temporarily skipped or whether temporary stops will be established along detour routes.

Detour Runs Through Tuesday Morning Commute

The detour begins Friday, May 1, 2026, and continues through Tuesday, May 5, covering two weekdays and a full weekend of service. WMATA officials said riders should expect the detour to remain in effect throughout this period, though the agency didn't provide specific start and end times for Friday and Tuesday. Transit officials advised passengers to allow extra travel time during the five-day period.

Riders Advised to Plan for Longer Travel Times

A71 passengers should expect longer trip times and possible schedule variations while the detour's in effect, transit officials said. WMATA encourages riders to sign up for MetroAlerts for real-time service updates during the construction period. Moovit provides real-time A71 bus tracking and alternative route suggestions for riders affected by the King Street detour.