Projects STP-OOMS(217)(218), Chatham, McIntosh, Glynn and Camden Counties

The proposed project consists of the replacement of old, structurally inadequate fender systems on five bridges. The existing fender systems, which protect the bridge substructures, cannot withstand too many more collisions. The serial numbers of the five bridges are as follows: 051-0146-0 (SR 204 Spur over Moon River, Chatham County), 051 0147-0 (SR 204 Spur over Skidaway Narrows, Chatham County), 191-0007-0 (US 17/SR 25 over Darien River, McIntosh County), 127-0042-0 (SR 303 over Turtle River), and 039-0011-0 (SR 25 over Little Satilla River, Camden County) (location maps have been attached).

Because of the scope of the project, the repair of the existing bridge fender systems, the area of potential effect (APE) for the purposes of Section 106 has been limited to the structure itself.

To ensure compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, the updated Georgia Historic Bridge Inventory was checked in an effort to identify historic resources located within the project's APE. This database consists of all roadway bridges in the state of Georgia built before 1956.

Only one of the five bridges appear in this database: 191-0007-0, US 17/SR 25 over the Darien River in McIntosh County. According to the Georgia Historic Bridge Survey form, this 1944 drop-in, deck girder bridge carries four lanes with a median over the Darien River at the southern city limit of Darien. The 30-span bridge is 56.8 feet wide and 1,452 feet long. This bridge has been recommended eligible for listing in the National Register as an early, unaltered, and technologically significant example of a long-span continuous cantilever deck girder bridge, and of the type of high-level fixed span bridges that replaced movable structures in the post-World War II period. The bridge has one, 3-span continuous deck girder main span of 91'-150'-91' with hunched girders, and a drop-in section with pin and hanger connections; a flanking simple deck girder span to the north of the main span; and 22 T-beam approach spans to the south and 4 T-beam approach spans to the north. It also has concrete balustrades, and concrete column bents with arched bent caps. (The Georgia Historic Bridge Survey form and photographs are appended). The inventory has been accepted by your office and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Therefore, in accordance with 36 CFR 800.4(c) (2), this resource was considered an eligible National Register resource by the FHWA and the SHPO. The eligible National Register boundary includes the bridge itself. As described in 36 CFR Part 800.9(a), the Criteria of Effect, an undertaking is considered to have an effect on a historic property when the undertaking may alter the National Register qualifying characteristics of a property. Alteration to the features of a property's location, setting, or use should be considered if they are significant characteristics of the property.

As stated previously, the proposed project would replace the bridge’s existing fender system. The existing wood system would be replaced with black plastic. While the materials would be changed, the fender system's design and configuration would not change.  Application of the Criteria of Effect allows for a finding of No Effect for the GDOT Bridge #191-0007-0. Alteration to features of the location of this resource would not occur. This resource is located on US 17/SR 25 over the Darien River and would continue to be located at this site.  The setting outside the eligible National Register boundary consists of the town of Darien with both historic and non-historic properties located near the crossing. Along the water beneath the bridge is a docking area. This setting contributes the National Register eligibility of the resource. However, the replacement of this fender system would not alter it.

The setting of this resource within the eligible National Register boundary consists of the bridge itself. The replacement of the bridge's fender system would not alter this setting. While the bridge is technologically significant, the fender system does not contribute to this importance. The important design elements, such as the continuous deck girder with hunched girders, are enhanced by the bridge's height above the water and its length. The replacement of the fender system would not diminish the bridge's technological significance.

Since the replacement of the fender system, from wood to black plastic, would not be visually discernible, project implementation would not introduce elements which are visually out of character with the property.

Since the project would not increase the bridge's traffic carrying capacity, project implementation would not increase noise nor would it result in changes to the atmosphere. Furthermore, it should not spur changes in land use which could result in foreseeable indirect effects.

For these reasons, the Department believes that the replacement of the fender system of GDOT Bridge # 191-0007-0 would not affect its historic character. A copy of this documentation has been provided to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). In accordance with 36 CFR Part 800.S(b), please provide comments to this assessment within fifteen days of receipt. Your assistance with this project is greatly appreciated.