WMATA Reroutes Buses for Adams Morgan Porchfest

WMATA C51 and C53 buses will bypass 18th Street in Adams Morgan from 11am to 9pm May 2

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WMATA C51, C53 Routes Detour for Porchfest May 2

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Two WMATA bus routes will detour around Adams Morgan on Saturday, May 2, for the neighborhood's annual Porchfest event. The C51 U St-Anacostia and C53 U St-Congress Heights routes will bypass 18th Street between Florida Avenue and Kalorama Road from 11am to 9pm, transit officials said. Both routes will detour in northbound and southbound directions during the 10-hour closure.

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WMATA bus traveling through Adams Morgan neighborhood on 18th Street NW

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Adams Morgan Porchfest transforms the neighborhood into an outdoor music venue each spring, with performances on residential porches and stoops along 18th Street. The street closure accommodates pedestrian crowds moving between performance locations throughout the day. WMATA typically coordinates with the District for special event detours that affect regular bus service. The agency said riders should expect delays and plan extra time for trips through the area during the event.

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The detour affects 18th Street NW between Florida Avenue and Kalorama Road, a roughly half-mile stretch that serves as the main corridor for both routes through Adams Morgan. Transit officials said both the C51 and C53 will use alternate streets to bypass the closure, though specific detour paths weren't detailed in the announcement. The routes connect neighborhoods from U Street to Anacostia and Congress Heights in Southeast Washington. WMATA advised passengers to allow additional travel time and avoid the area if possible during the 10-hour closure window.

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WMATA bus stop sign showing C51 and C53 route numbers in Washington DC

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The temporary detour takes effect at 11am Saturday and continues through 9pm, matching the Porchfest event schedule. WMATA said riders can sign up for MetroAlerts for real-time service updates during the detour period. The agency recommends planning ahead for the temporary service change and checking for updates before traveling through Adams Morgan on May 2.

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Riders using the C51 or C53 routes Saturday should expect longer travel times and possible crowding as buses navigate detour routes. Transit officials said passengers with flexible schedules might consider traveling before 11am or after 9pm to avoid the closure period. Moovit provides real-time bus locations and alternate route suggestions for WMATA riders navigating service changes throughout the Washington metro area.