Archaeological Assessment of Project BRZLB-257(7), Stephens County

The proposed project was field surveyed for historic properties in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto. The survey boundary and methodology were established using the GDOTIFHWA Cultural Resources Survey Guidelines. These guidelines were established as a result of past interaction with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and his staff and were agreed upon by the Federal Highway Administration (FHW A) and the SHPO. The proposed project would realign the intersection of SR 49 and District Line Road/Southerfield Road. The purpose of the project is to improve the intersection due to existing operational and safety issues. Presently both existing intersections at SR 49 and District Line Road/Southerfield Road have defiant skew angles causing dangerous conditions for both the left and right turn movements. The improved intersection will realign Southerfield Ro ad and District Line Road into a new four-way intersection approximately 950-feet southwest of existing SR 49 at Southerfield Road and New Era Road. The new four-way intersection will improve site distance, ease vehicular mobility through the intersection and improve horizontal geometry and angle of intersection. The realignment will also enhance traffic movement by adding a dedicated turn land from southbound SR 49 onto Southerfield Road. The existing typical section of roadway currently consists of two 12' lanes, 10' shoulders with 4' paved shoulders and 80 to 100 feet of variable right -of-way. The area of potential effects (APE), as defined in 36 CFR 800.16(d), is the geographic area or areas within which an undertaking may directly or indirectly cause changes in the character or use of historic properties if any such properties exist. Based on the nature and the scope of the undertaking, the guidance in the GDOTIFHWA Cultural Resources Survey Guidelines and past experience with similar projects, the Department has evaluated and defined the APE for this proposed project. Because of the nature and scope of the undertaking, the area of potential direct effects consists of the project view shed and the proposed right-of-way of the propose d project, within which all construction and ground disturbing activity would be confined (refer to attached graphic). No potential for indirect effects is anticipated by implementation of the proposed project.