The Lehigh and New England Railroad overpass at Route 248, south of Palmerton, is being razed, with traffic during daylight hours being detoured over Route 145.

The Irvin Fisher Co., Reading, is removing the overpass and when it is completed it will begin dismantling the railroad’s trestle over the Lehigh River at Lehigh Gap.

The railroad’s tracks were removed from Tamaqua to Sussex, N.J., in 1962, about six months after the railroad went out of business. The cost of dismantling the bridge will be underwritten by the railroad, with all bridge piers and abutments to be removed. The area will be restored to the natural contour of the surrounding area.