WMATA A71 Detours Around King Street Work
WMATA A71 bus route detours around King Street construction May 1-5, 2026
WMATA A71 Route Detours for King St Work
WMATA's A71 Ballston-King Street bus route will detour around construction on King Street starting Friday, May 1, transit officials said. The detour affects both northbound and southbound buses through Tuesday, May 5, as crews work between Russell Road/Callahan Drive and Daingerfield Road. Riders should expect route changes and allow extra travel time during the four-day closure period.
Construction Closes King Street Segment
The construction project requires a full street closure on King Street between Russell Road/Callahan Drive and Daingerfield Road, according to WMATA. Transit agencies typically implement detours when roadwork blocks regular bus routes, rerouting vehicles to nearby parallel streets while maintaining access to key destinations. The four-day timeline suggests focused infrastructure work that requires complete street access. Officials didn't specify the nature of the construction project or which agency is performing the work.
Detour Routes Vary by Direction
Northbound A71 buses will detour at Franklin Street and King Street, then resume the regular route at Melrose Street, transit officials said. Southbound buses will begin detouring at Callahan Drive and return to the regular route at King Street Station. The detour keeps buses on parallel streets to maintain service continuity while avoiding the construction zone. Officials didn't provide estimated travel time increases for the detoured routes, though riders should plan for delays during the May 1-5 period.
Four-Day Detour Runs Through Tuesday
The detour takes effect Friday, May 1, 2026, and continues through Tuesday, May 5, 2026, according to WMATA. The agency typically schedules construction-related detours to minimize disruption, though officials didn't say whether the Friday start aims to reduce weekday commuter impact. Regular A71 service will resume Wednesday, May 6, once construction wraps and King Street reopens to bus traffic.
Riders Urged to Plan for Extra Time
Passengers should allow additional travel time during the four-day detour period, 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 navigating the King Street detour through May 5.
