WMATA Reroutes Buses Around Construction Work
WMATA reroutes southbound C41, C51 buses via 17th St SE due to Pennsylvania Ave construction
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WMATA Reroutes C41, C51 Buses for Construction
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Two WMATA bus routes will detour around construction work on Pennsylvania Ave SE starting March 9, affecting riders traveling through the Potomac Ave area. The transit agency announced the temporary reroute for southbound C41 and C51 buses, which'll use 17th St SE instead of their regular path. Northbound service on both routes won't be affected by the construction work.
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The detour stems from ongoing construction at the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave SE and Potomac Ave, where roadwork requires closing portions of the street to bus traffic. Transit officials said the work will continue until further notice, though they haven't provided a timeline for when construction will be completed. The affected area serves residential neighborhoods in Southeast Washington, where buses connect riders to the Anacostia Metro station and other transit hubs. WMATA typically implements detours when street construction blocks regular bus routes, working with city officials to minimize disruption.
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Southbound C41 buses heading to Anacostia will turn onto 17th St SE at Potomac Ave, then rejoin their regular route at Potomac Ave SE and 14th St. The C51 southbound service will follow the same detour path. Northbound C41 service to West Hyattsville and northbound C51 service to Tenleytown will operate on their normal routes without changes. Transit officials said riders should expect slightly longer travel times due to the detour, though they didn't specify how many additional minutes trips might take.
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The detour took effect March 9 and will remain in place for the duration of the construction project. WMATA hasn't announced when the buses will return to their regular routes. The agency said it'll notify riders before service returns to normal, though officials didn't say how much advance notice they'll provide. Passengers can sign up for MetroAlerts to receive updates about the detour and other service changes.
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Riders who regularly use the affected stops on Pennsylvania Ave SE between Potomac Ave and 14th St will need to walk to alternate stops on the detour route. Transit officials advised passengers to allow extra travel time and consider avoiding the construction area if they have flexible schedules. Moovit provides real-time bus locations and updated route information for WMATA services, helping riders track detoured buses and plan alternative trips during the construction period.
