WMATA C81 Detours Around Kennedy Street Work
WMATA C81 bus detours around Kennedy Street construction starting June 30
WMATA C81 Bus Detours on Kennedy Street June 30
WMATA's C81 bus route will detour around Kennedy Street NW starting June 30 due to construction between 13th and 14th streets, transit officials said. The route, which connects Fort Totten and Sibley Hospital, will be affected in both directions with no end date announced. Riders should expect longer travel times and consider alternate routes during the closure.
Construction Closes Kennedy Street Segment
The construction work requires the full closure of Kennedy Street NW between 13th and 14th streets, forcing the temporary route change. WMATA announced the detour in an advisory last updated April 13, though officials didn't specify what construction work is being performed or how long it'll take to complete. The affected segment is a key corridor for the C81 route, which serves neighborhoods between Fort Totten Metro station and Sibley Hospital in Northwest Washington. Transit agencies typically implement detours when street closures prevent buses from accessing their regular routes.
Eastbound and Westbound Routes Affected
Eastbound buses toward Fort Totten will detour via Military Road NW at 14th Street, then resume the regular route on Kennedy Street NW at Georgia Avenue. Westbound buses toward Sibley Hospital will detour on Kennedy Street NW at 5th Street, resuming the regular route on Military Road NW at 16th Street. The detours add several blocks to the route in each direction. Officials advised passengers to allow additional travel time and avoid the area if possible, though they didn't provide estimates of how much extra time riders should expect.
Detour Takes Effect June 30
The detour takes effect June 30, 2025, and will remain in place until further notice, according to WMATA. Officials didn't announce when the construction is expected to be completed or when regular C81 service will resume on Kennedy Street NW. The agency encourages riders to sign up for MetroAlerts for service updates as the project progresses.
Riders Should Plan for Delays
C81 riders who regularly use stops on Kennedy Street NW between 13th and 14th streets will need to use alternate stops during the detour. Officials said passengers should allow extra travel time but didn't specify how much additional time to expect. Moovit provides real-time bus locations and updated routes for WMATA services, helping riders navigate detours and plan trips during construction-related service changes.
