Archaeological Assessment of Project NH-985-1(337), Hall County

"In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project NH-985- 1(337), Hall County has been surveyed with respect to archaeological resources, especially those on or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) . The purpose of the survey was to locate, identify and evaluate the significance of any archaeological resources within the proposed project's area of potential environmental effect. The proposed project consists of the addition of turn lanes on Spout Springs Road at the I-985 ramp intersections and the widening of all four ramps. The existing Spout Springs Road consists of two 3.6 m (11.81 ft) wide travel lanes with 1.8 m (5.91 ft) wide rural shoulders. The existing I -985 ramps consist of 4.8 m (15. 75 ft) wide lanes with 1.2 m (3.94 ft) inside shoulders and 1.8 m (5 .91 ft) outside shoulders . The proposed construction will add left and right turn lanes on Spout Springs Road and widen all four ramps of the diamond interchange to t wo lanes. Al l lane additions will be 3 . 6 m (11.81 ft) in width. Shoulders on Spout Springs Road will be 2.4 m (7.87 ft) in width, and ramp shoulders will be 1.2 m (3.93 ft) paved inside and 1.8 m (5.91 ft) paved outside. The project will extend from 180 m (590.55 ft) east of the northbound ramps to 180 m (590 . 55 ft) west of the southbound ramps . The total length of the project is 549 m (180. 16 ft). An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed right-of-way was conducted for the entire project area. An archaeological survey (Level II) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archaeologists in consultation with DNR Historic Preservation Section Staff and concurred in by the Federal Highway Administration and State. Historic Preservation Officer. These guidelines provide general survey boundaries and methodological approaches to archaeological surveys based on the type / s cope of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. No existing or eligible National Register archaeological resources were located within the project's area of potential environmental effect. It is concluded, therefore, that the project will have no effect upon archaeological resources on or eligible for inclusion in the NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above."