Phase I Archaeological Survey for the Bridge Rehabilitation at Six Bridge Locations over Interstate 20, Douglas County, Georgia

The purpose of this project is bridge rehabilitation at six bridge locations over Interstate (I-) 20 in Douglas County, Georgia (Table 1; Figure 1). The proposed project will include raising each bridge between 1 and 8 inches (in) to a minimum vertical clearance of 17 feet (ft). Roadway shoulder and slope work will be required to match the new grade of the bridge, extending cut-fill limits beyond the existing toe-of-slope by no more than 20 ft. Additional proposed maintenance activities include replacing or extending existing draining structures within the project limits, replacing rip-rap at the drainage outlets, replacing caps, repairing/replacing edge beams, metalizing the steel super structure, repair of spalls and cracks in the superstructures and substructures, deck joint replacement, and application of co-polymer deck overlay. All proposed activities will take place within existing ROW.

Area of Potential Effect: The Area of Potential Effect (APE) consists of existing ROW within the project limits. Bridge 1 has a project length of approximately 1,550 feet along North County Line Road and the width of the APE varies from 100 feet to 130 feet (Figure 2). Bridges 2 and 3 at Tyson Road share an APE that is approximately 1,920 feet long and 150 feet wide (Figure 3). Bridge 4 has a project length of 1,477 feet along Burnt Hickory Road/Midway Road (Figure 4). The width of the APE varies from 110 feet to 140 feet. Bridge 5 has a project length of approximately 1,620 feet along Post Road and the width of the APE is 236 feet (Figure 5). Bridge 6 has a project length of 1,603 feet along Liberty Road/ Mirror Lake Blvd and the width of the APE is approximately 260 feet (Figure 6). In consultation with Heather Mustonen, Archaeology Team Leader, the Expanded Survey Corridor (ESC) was waived for this project.