Traffic has been a nightmare all weekend in and around Tamaqua after PennDOT closed SR309 as workers replaced a railroad bed across the roadway in preparation for a new bridge which will carry Center Street (SR309) over the Little Schuylkill River. The heavily traveled route was closed 7 p.m. Friday and was re-open about 10 p..m. Sunday. The road is a major artery connecting the Lehigh Valley with points north including I80 and the greater Hazleton area. Traffic was detoured along SR443 in West Penn Township to SR902 In Mahoning Township over Bugzie's Mountain into Summit Hill and the Panther Valley area. Some motorists chose to travel Mountain Road in Walker township although both routes were a danger to tractor trailer traffic with the mountains, narrow roads and sharp turns.