Archaeological Reevaluation of GDOT Project BR000-0003-00(081), Bridge Replacement on CR 321 Taliaferro Springs RD I Mile South of Lyerly in Chattooga County; PI 000308 I; HP-020114-003

The proposed project would replace the structurally deficient bridge with a rating of 8.l3 on CR 321/Taliaferro Road over the Chattooga River. The existing two-lane rural section consists of two 9 foot travel lanes and 5 foot shoulders on 50 feet of right-of-way (ROW). The proposed roadway would consist of 12 foot travel lanes with IO foot shoulders on a variable ROW of 50 to 185 feet. The existing bridge consists of five spans and is I 97 feet long and 2 1.3 feet wide. The proposed bridge would be 480 feet long and 37 feet wide. The total project length is 0.36 mile (1900 feet). This reevaluation was concerned with the extension of the project by 1268 feet to a length of 0.60 mile (3168 feet). All new areas of ROW were surveyed for archaeological resources. An archeological survey (Level II) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archeologists 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 archeological surveys based on the type/scope of work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. By agreement, since no archaeological resources were located within the project's area of potential effect, no signed concunence form the State Historic Preservation Officer is required. 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 confo1ms to that described above.