Road detour signs and blockades were put in place in Tamaqua before midnight Tuesday, resulting in new traffic patterns taking effect early Wednesday morning. Traffic appeared to be flowing smoothly on along Route 209 early this morning, but Route 309 back-ups were apparent on what is Hometown auction day. Because of re-routing, traffic along Spruce, Lafayette and Washington streets and Stadium Hill was heavy, with some tractor-trailers missing the detour signs and having difficulty getting their bearings. DONALD R. SERFASS/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS