Phase I Archaeological Resources Survey of the Proposed Interstate 20 (I-20) Bridge Replacement Over Big Indian Creek, Morgan County, Georgia

In June 2018, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey of the proposed Interstate 20 (I-20) bridge replacement located in Morgan County, Georgia (PI No. 0014903). As part of a statewide bridge replacement effort, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) proposes to improve the safety and functionality of the roadway by replacing the existing bridge structures carrying I-20 over Big Indian Creek (Figures 1 and 2). This project will replace the existing eastbound and westbound bridges over Big Indian Creek to improve the structural integrity and hydraulic capacity and provide adequate shoulder widths for the bridge. The existing eastbound and westbound structures will be replaced in their current location and temporary bridges (120 feet [ft] by 30 ft) will be constructed to maintain existing traffic. The existing twin bridge structures were constructed in 1967 and consists of two 12-foot travel lanes with 10-foot outside shoulders and 4-foot paved inside shoulders. The bridges are 120 feet (ft) (36.5 meters [m]) long and comprised of three spans of Reinforced Concrete Deck Girders (RCDG’s) on concrete caps with steel piles. The existing right – of - way (ROW) is 500 to 575 ft (152 to 175 m). The total length of the project is approximately 0.65 miles.

As a requirement under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), archaeological and historic resources that may be located within the proposed project’s Area of Potential Effects (APE) must be assessed for significance. In addition, the archaeological survey must adhere to the guidelines established by the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), GDOT, and the Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists (GCPA). The work for this survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA of 1966, as amended (36 CFR 800).