Phase I Archaeological Resources Survey of the Proposed SR 37 Roundabout, Colquitt County, Georgia

In January 2018, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey of the proposed State Route (SR) 37 roundabout located in Colquitt County, Georgia, within the city limits of Moultrie (PI No. 0009855). The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) proposes to provide operational improvements at the existing intersection of SR 37 and County Road (CR) 238/Industrial Drive/CR 477/Cool Springs Road by replacing the existing all-way stop control intersection with a roundabout. The proposed typical section would include two 12-19 foot wide lanes with 10-16 foot wide shoulders. A 5 foot wide sidewalk would be constructed on the eastern side of the roundabout. Sidewalks are not included on the west side as a crosswalk cannot be provided across SR 37 west of the intersection due to the location and length of a truck blister. The total length of the project is approximately 0.38 mile.

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. The project APE extends along SR 37 from approximately 650 feet (ft) (198 meters [m]) west to approximately 630 ft (189 m) east of the intersection with CR 238/Cool Springs Road/CR 477/Industrial Drive; and along CR 238/Industrial Drive/CR 477/Cool Springs Road from approximately 615 ft (187 m) south to approximately 615 ft (187 m) north of the intersection with SR 37. The project APE width for the proposed SR 37 roundabout is defined as the existing right-of-way (ROW) of 100 ft (30 m) wide within the proposed SR 37 project limits as well as the proposed acquisition of easements for driveways and construction/maintenance of slopes and additional ROW varying between 50 ft (15 m) and 105 ft (32 m) from the existing road centerline. In addition to the project APE, a 100-ft-wide buffer from the edge of the project APE, known as the expanded survey corridor (ESC), was also surveyed. For the purposes of this report, the project APE and the project ESC are collectively referred to herein as the project survey area, which encompasses approximately 19.7 acres. The Phase I archaeological survey was completed to assist GDOT in complying with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (36 CFR 800).

Prior to fieldwork, a review of Georgia’s Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS) revealed that no previously recorded archaeological sites are located within one kilometer (km) radius of the project survey area. No previous archaeological surveys have been conducted within the boundaries of the project survey area.

During fieldwork, 116 shovel tests along 5 transects were excavated within the project survey area. Eight shovel tests were not excavated due to standing water, residential homes, and paved surfaces. All shovel tests were negative for cultural material and features. One judgmental shovel test was excavated where a transect shovel test was more than 15 m from the edge of the project survey area to allow for complete shovel test coverage. Drainage ditches were located adjacent to both sides of SR 37 and the east side of Cool Springs Road. Disturbance from underground utilities within the existing ROW included water lines along the south side of SR 37 (west of Industrial Drive/Cool Springs Road intersection), the west side of Cool Springs Road and Industrial Drive, and the north side of SR 37 (east of Industrial Drive/Cool Springs Road intersection). Soil conditions were generally shallow and typically consisted of 30 cm thick mottled brown (7.5YR 5/2) sandy loam overlying strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) clay.

One archaeological site was recorded. Site 9CQ115 is the remnants of an early to midtwentieth century general store and attached residence, formerly known as the Saturday Store. The site consists of a T-shaped concrete slab and cinder block stem wall and two surface artifacts. Shovel tests indicated shallow, disturbed soils and the chimney bricks are not in situ. As a result, the site has lost integrity and lacks significant data potential under Criterion D. The paucity of artifacts also severely limits research potential for this site. Site 9CQ115 is unlikely to yield additional information beyond what has already been recovered during this or prior investigations. Therefore, site 9CQ115 is recommended ineligible for listing to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion D. No additional archaeological sites, features, or resources were identified during the Phase I investigation. No NRHP-eligible archaeological resource will be impacted by the proposed action.