Archaeological Assessment of Project DPI-0202(001), Ct. 5, Dougherty/Lee Counties

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project DPI-0202(001) Ct. 5, Dougherty/Lee 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 reconstruct the Liberty Expressway (SR 520) interchange at Dawson Rd. (CR 539) and relocate Pointe North Blvd. northwest of Albany in Dougherty and Lee Counties. The SR 520 interchange at CR 539 would be replaced with a loop and flyover bridge covering approximately 7.89 ha (19.52 ac.). The interchange would be located approximately 243.8 m (800 ft.) northwest of the current intersection to provide a more free-flowing facility and utilize existing D.O.T. property. Pointe North Blvd. would be relocated on new alignment beginning approximately 365.7 m (1200 ft.) south of the existing Pointe North Blvd./CR 539 intersection. From this point the new alignment would extend northerly to an end point approximately 152. 4 m (500 ft.) east of the existing Pointe North Blvd./CR 539 intersection. As part of this proposal, the intersection of Ledo Rd. and Dawson Rd. in Lee County would be shifted approximately 182.8 m (600 ft.) north of its present location. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed rights-of-way was conducted for the entire project corridor. 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/scope of proposed highway projects and are followed during the 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 the archaeological resources on or eligible for the inclusion in the NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above.