WMATA C37 Reroutes for One-Day Construction

WMATA C37 northbound buses detour via Central Avenue April 30 for 51st Street work

WMATA C37 Bus Detours April 30 for Construction

Riders on WMATA's C37 Lincoln Heights-Potomac Avenue route should plan for a temporary detour Thursday, April 30, 2026, transit officials said. Construction work on 51st Street SE between D Street and F Street will force northbound buses onto an alternate path from 8am until 9pm. The single-day project affects only northbound service in Southeast Washington.

Construction Closes Two-Block Stretch

The street closure spans two blocks of 51st Street SE, requiring buses to temporarily reroute around the work zone. WMATA typically schedules single-day construction projects during weekdays to minimize disruption to weekend ridership patterns. The agency coordinates street closures with District of Columbia transportation officials to ensure adequate notice for transit riders. Officials said the construction work requires a full daytime closure of the affected stretch.

Northbound Buses Reroute via Central Avenue

Northbound C37 buses will detour via Central Avenue SE at 51st Street and resume their regular route on Fitch Street SE at 53rd Street, according to WMATA. Southbound buses traveling to Potomac Avenue won't be affected and will operate on their normal route throughout the day. The detour adds approximately two blocks to the northbound journey. Officials said riders should allow extra travel time during the 13-hour detour period.

Single-Day Project Ends Thursday Evening

The construction work and resulting detour will end at 9pm Thursday, with normal service resuming afterward, transit officials confirmed. WMATA said the limited-duration project is designed to minimize ongoing impact to bus operations. The agency hasn't specified what type of construction work necessitates the closure. Regular C37 service patterns will return once the street reopens Thursday night.

Riders Can Track Detour in Real Time

Passengers can sign up for MetroAlerts for real-time service updates during the detour, WMATA said. The temporary route change affects riders traveling through the Lincoln Heights area of Southeast Washington. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and alternate route suggestions for C37 riders navigating the Thursday detour.