WMATA Reroutes Buses Around Pennsylvania Ave Work
WMATA C41 and C51 southbound buses detour via 17th St SE starting March 9
WMATA Reroutes C41, C51 Buses for Construction
Two Washington Metro bus routes will detour around construction on Pennsylvania Ave SE starting March 9, transit officials said. The C41 and C51 southbound buses will reroute via 17th St SE at Potomac Ave, resuming their regular paths at 14th St. WMATA hasn't said when the construction will be complete or when buses will return to normal routes.
Southbound Routes Affected by Street Work
The detour affects only southbound service on both routes heading toward Anacostia, according to the transit agency. Northbound buses on the C41 Bladensburg Rd line to West Hyattsville and the C51 U St line to Tenleytown will continue operating on their regular routes without changes. Transit agencies typically implement directional detours when construction blocks one side of a street or when turn restrictions prevent buses from maintaining their usual paths. Officials advised riders to allow extra travel time but didn't specify how much additional time the detour might add to trips.
Construction Timeline Remains Open-Ended
The detour takes effect March 9, 2026, and will continue until further notice, WMATA confirmed. Officials haven't provided details about what type of construction is happening at the Pennsylvania Ave SE and Potomac Ave intersection or which agency is performing the work. The transit system didn't release an estimated completion date or timeline for when buses might return to their regular routes. Riders can expect the detour to remain in place for an indefinite period, though officials said they'll provide updates as the construction progresses.
Detour Routes Through Nearby Streets
Both affected southbound routes will detour via 17th St SE when they reach Potomac Ave, then rejoin their regular paths on Potomac Ave SE at 14th St, according to WMATA. The detour creates a brief deviation from the normal route before buses resume their standard service pattern. Officials didn't specify which stops along Pennsylvania Ave SE between the detour points will be temporarily unavailable or whether temporary stop locations will be established along the detour route.
Riders Advised to Plan for Delays
Passengers should allow additional travel time and consider avoiding the area if possible, transit officials said. WMATA didn't provide specific guidance on how much extra time riders should budget for trips on the affected routes. The agency encourages riders to sign up for service alerts to receive updates about the detour and any changes to the construction timeline. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and detour information for WMATA routes throughout the Washington metro area.
