WMATA C63 Detours Around Franklin St Construction

WMATA C63 westbound buses detour via South Dakota Ave through May 15 due to Franklin St work

2026-04-23, Moovit News Team

WMATA C63 Bus Detours on Franklin St Through May

Riders taking WMATA's C63 bus route toward Georgia Avenue will need to plan for detours through mid-May as construction closes a section of Franklin Street NE. The westbound detour began immediately and will continue through Friday, May 15, 2026, transit officials said. Eastbound C63 service toward Deanwood won't be affected by the construction work.
WMATA C63 bus on Franklin Street NE in Washington DC with construction barriers visible in background

Construction Zone Details

The construction work is taking place on Franklin Street NE between 20th Street and 22nd Street, according to WMATA. The agency said the project requires closing the westbound lane, forcing buses to take an alternate route. Officials didn't specify what type of construction is underway or which contractor is performing the work. Transit agencies typically coordinate street closures with local departments of transportation to minimize service disruptions.

Detour Route Specifics

Westbound C63 buses will detour onto South Dakota Avenue NE at Vista Street, then resume their regular route on Franklin Street NE at 15th Street, WMATA said. The detour adds approximately three blocks to the westbound route. Officials advised passengers to allow additional travel time during the construction period but didn't provide specific estimates for how much extra time riders should expect. The agency said eastbound service will operate on its normal route without changes.

Timeline and Duration

The detour took effect immediately upon announcement and will remain in place through Friday, May 15, 2026, according to WMATA. That gives the construction project approximately three weeks to complete work in the affected area. Officials didn't say whether the May 15 end date could be extended if construction runs longer than expected.

Rider Information and Updates

WMATA encouraged passengers to sign up for MetroAlerts to receive real-time service updates about the C63 detour and other route changes. Officials also advised riders to avoid the construction area if possible when planning trips. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and alternative route suggestions for C63 riders affected by the Franklin Street construction.