WMATA F20 Detours to Maintain Service During Work

WMATA F20 westbound buses detour April 18-27 due to Falls Church Drive closure

WMATA F20 Bus Detours April 18-27 for Work

WMATA's F20 bus route will detour for nine days starting April 18 due to construction closing Falls Church Drive in West Falls Church. The detour affects only westbound buses traveling from Leesburg Pike to Tysons, while eastbound service to King St-Old Town continues normally. The advisory was updated April 10, and riders should allow extra travel time during the construction period.

Construction Closes Street Through April 27

The street closure on Falls Church Drive necessitates the temporary route change, transit officials said. Construction work in the West Falls Church area will block the road from Saturday, April 18, through Monday, April 27, 2026. WMATA typically implements detours when street closures prevent buses from accessing regular routes, ensuring service continuity while infrastructure projects proceed. The agency coordinates with local jurisdictions on construction schedules that affect transit operations.

Westbound Buses Reroute at Station

Westbound F20 buses will begin detouring at West Falls Church Station and Bus Bay E, transit officials said. The buses will then resume their regular route on Leesburg Pike at Haycock Road, bypassing the closed section of Falls Church Drive. Eastbound F20 service traveling on Leesburg Pike to King St-Old Town won't require any detour and will operate on its normal route throughout the construction period. Officials didn't specify the exact streets buses will use during the detour between the station and Haycock Road.

Nine-Day Detour Runs Through Late April

The detour takes effect Saturday, April 18, 2026, and continues until Monday, April 27, 2026, according to WMATA. The nine-day period covers two weekends and the weekdays between them. Transit officials updated the advisory on April 10, giving riders advance notice of the upcoming service change. The agency didn't say whether the construction timeline could extend beyond April 27 or if the detour might end earlier if work finishes ahead of schedule.

Riders Should Plan for Delays

Passengers should plan accordingly and allow extra travel time during the construction period, transit officials said. The detour will add time to westbound trips between West Falls Church Station and the point where buses rejoin Leesburg Pike at Haycock Road. WMATA encourages riders to sign up for MetroAlerts for real-time service updates. Moovit provides route planning and real-time bus tracking for F20 and other WMATA routes, helping riders adjust their commutes during the temporary detour.