Although no one will venture a guess as to when, if ever, Tamaqua will get its long-awaited bypass for Route 309, The Tamaqua Planning Commission has succeeded in having the project stamped "highest priority" by the Schuylkill County Planning Commission.

Tamaqua Borough Council, its planning commission and the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce have been pushing for the bypass for a number of years.A study conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has identified five possible routes around the community.