Second Addendum to the Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Diverging Diamond Interchange at State Route 22 and Bradley Park Drive, Muscogee County

The project proposes the replacement of the existing cloverleaf intersection at State Route (SR) 22 and Bradley Park Drive with a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) in Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia. The plans include the modification of the existing overpass bridge, realignments to the east and west side roads to be incorporated into the DDI, and alterations to the intersections of Bradley Park Drive and Belfast Avenue (east of the interchange) to eliminate a westbound left turn from Bradley Park Drive onto Belfast Avenue. All proposed design elements occur within existing Right-of-Way (ROW). New South Associates, Inc. (NSA) performed a survey for this project in 2019 and found no archaeological resources (Kannady 2020).

In 2020, GDOT proposed the removal, replacement, or addition of signage at 15 locations and the addition of guardrails at three locations within existing ROW along SR 22. The plans also included replacing the existing overhead or side mounted signage and re-using the existing support structures and guardrail approaches. Additionally, the plans included the replacement of logo signs in both directions to show the correct exit number. These signs are mounted on wooden posts in the existing shoulder of SR 22; replacement logo signs may use metal posts. Three of the advance exit signs will be on a new location and will require new guardrails with shoulder grading. The plans also included slight extensions of three portions of the original DDI environmental survey boundary (ESB). NSA conducted the first addendum survey for this proposed project in 2020 and found no archaeological resources (McMahon 2020).

In 2021, at the request of the City of Columbus, KCI provided NSA with a revised ESB to cover all areas of signage and new areas of lighting at the DDI. The new ESB was provided because the exact limits of construction for the lighting were not confirmed at the time of the current addendum survey, but all changes are within existing ROW. The proposed signage locations were covered under the previous addendum survey (McMahon 2020). Additional modifications include the installation new lighting at the intersection, which requires installing foundations for the light poles and an underground conduit. Preexisting lights are not sufficient to illuminate the new DDI and will be removed by Georgia Power. The proposed light poles will be approximately 30 feet tall with varying arm lengths (4-, 10-, or 12-foot).