Archaeological Assessment of Project MR-0114(2), Dougherty County

The following information on GDOT Project MR-0114(6), the proposed widening of Radium Springs Road, in Albany, Georgia, is being provided for your review and comment. The project as proposed would widen the existing two-lane facility symmetrically to a five lane section with curb and gutter between Oakridge Drive and Garden Hill Drive in south Albany. As a part of the project the existing bridge culvert at the U.S. Naval Reserves Marine Corps Supply Center Drainage Canal would be widened. Existing GDOT right-of-way at the canal is approximately 60 feet. A maximum of 43 feet of additional rights-of-way would be required on either side. Total rights-of-way to be acquired from the Marine Corps in the area of the canal would be approximately 0.38 acre. An archaeological survey of the project corridor, exclusive of the Marine Corps canal area, was conducted on July 21 and August 8, 1988 by our archaeologist, Bob Entorf. The survey consisted of an intensive pedestrian survey with subsurface testing conducted as appropriate. No significant cultural resources were identified during the archaeological survey. In addition, an examination of GDOT and the State Archaeological Site Files indicated that no previously identified archaeological resources were located within or adjacent to the proposed project corridor. On September 7, 1988 technical assistance discussions were held with your staff and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile. The object of the meeting was to determine whether or not an onsite archaeological survey would be required to meet

Section 106 compliance at the Marine Corps canal. Based on the information brought out in the discussion it was concluded that widening of the existing bridge culvert at the Marine Corps canal would have no effect on cultural resources on or eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places; therefore, an archaeological survey of the 0.38 acre of land to be acquired from the Marine Corps Drainage canal would not be required. This conclusion was based upon the following: 1) The canal is of recent construction (ca. 1945). Its sole function is the drainage of excess ground water from the vicinity of the U.S. Naval Reserves, U.S. Marine Corps Supply Center, in southeast Albany. 2) An intensive archaeological survey of the proposed project corridor, exclusive of the Marine Corps canal area, located no significant archaeological resources. 3) An examination of GDOT and the State Archaeological Site Files indicated that no previously identified archaeological resources were located within or adjacent to the proposed project corridor. 4) Previously identified upland archaeological sites in this portion of the state may be characterized as being located at or near the present day ground surface. 5) Construction and subsequent maintenance of the drainage canal has extensively disturbed the original ground surface within the existing canal rights-of-way. Based on the archaeological survey, background research, and technical assistance discussions with the State Historic Preservation Officers Staff and Army Corps of Engineers, it is concluded that no significant cultural resources would be affected by implementation of Georgia Department of Transportation Project MR-0114(6) in the area of the Marine Corps Drainage canal.