Archaeological Survey of Project MSL-0003-00(161), Coweta and Meriwether Counties

In compliance with Section I 06 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, Project MSL-0003-00( 161 ), Coweta and Meriwether Counties, 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 would consist of the inside widening of 13.655 miles of SR 403/1-85 from north of Forest Road (MP #33.259) in Meriwether County to north of SR 34 (MP #46.9 14) in Coweta County. The proposed project would provide three 12 ft. travel lanes and 14 ft. inside and outside shoulders ( 12 ft. paved) in each direction divided with a variable width ( 40 ft. - 64 ft.) depressed grass median; widening of the existing bridges over SR 14/CSX Railroad, Bethlehem Church Road, SR 14/US 27 Alt., Turkey Creek Road, two CSX Railroad crossings, and SR 34; and include the raising and jacking of the bridges over SR 16, Big Poplar Road and Lower Fayetteville Road in order to improve the vertical clearance to a minimum of I 7 feet. The project would be constructed entirely within existing right-of-way. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed project description was conducted for the entire length of the project corridor. An archaeological survey (Level I) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT/FHW A Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archaeologists in consultation with DNR Historic Preservation Division 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/scope of work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. No existing or eligible National Register 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 confom1s to that described above.