This project is for the grade separation of the existing at-grade signalized intersection of State Route (SR) 316 at SR 11. The proposed grade separation will include provision for a full diamond urban interchange providing access to and from SR 316 to the cross road SR 11 . The interchange will be designed to accommodate the widening of SR 316 from existing two general-use lanes in each direction to three lanes in each direction including a barrier separated HOV lane in each direction.
The area of potential effect for this project consists of the existing right-of-way (ROW) and proposed ROW and easements. The survey area includes the APE and the 100 foot Expanded Survey Corridor (ESC) as stipulated by the Environmental Procedures Manual. This survey covers only the project changes since 2016 received via Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). Three new areas have been added to the overall project area. Location and description of these changes are discussed below. The first new survey area begins .45 miles west of the SR 316 at SR 11 intersection. It extends .63 miles west and is approximately 800 feet in width (400 feet on each side of the highway centerline). Another new survey area begins .36 miles east of the SR 316 at SR 11 intersection. It extends .63 miles east and is approximately 800 feet in width (400 feet on each side of the highway centerline). The final new survey area crosses a wetland area that connects SR 316 and SR 11 diagonally starting at approximately .26 miles west of the SR 316 at SR 11 intersection heading in a northeasterly direction till connecting with SR11 approximately .22 miles north of the SR 316 at SR 11 intersection.
Three previously recorded archaeological sites were identified by this review. The site file search also found two previous archaeological surveys intersecting with the APE of the current survey area. Site 9BW33 is a pre-contact lithic scatter located .75 kilometers north of the survey area. It is described as destroyed and recommended ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Site 9BW34 is a pre-contact lithic scatter/possible ephemeral hunting camp located .71 kilometers north of the survey area. The site is described as destroyed and recommended ineligible for the NRHP. Site 9BW125 is a razed house site located 250 meters southeast of the northern portion of the project area, recorded by GDOT in 2016. It is of unknown eligibility for the NRHP.
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