Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Widening of SR 124/Scenic Highway from US 78/SR 10/Stone Mountain Highway to Sugarloaf Parkway

On behalf of KCI Technologies, Inc. (KCI), New South Associates, Inc. (New South) conducted a Phase I Archaeological Survey in advance of State Route (SR) 124/Scenic Highway being widened from U.S. 78/SR 10/Stone Mountain Highway to Sugarloaf Parkway in Gwinnett County, Georgia. This project includes two separate Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) P.I. Numbers: P.I. No 0006921 and PI. No. 0014172. P.I. No. 0006921 extends from U.S. 78/SR 10/Stone Mountain Highway to SR 864/Ronald Reagan Parkway, and P.I. No. 0014172 extends from SR 864/Ronald Reagan Parkway to Sugarloaf Parkway. The plans include widening SR 124/Scenic Highway from four lanes to a six-lane divided highway. The corridor is approximately 7.2 kilometers (4.5 mi.) long and heavily developed. The work for this survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), as amended (36 CFR 800) and was intended to determine the presence of significant archaeological resources within the Environmental Survey Boundary (ESB).

The Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) indicated three archaeological sites and 18 surveys have been completed within one kilometer (0.6 mi.) of the ESB. None of the sites intersects the current ESB and only one site (9GW143) was recommended eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

Phase I fieldwork resulted in no archaeological sites found though subsurface testing; however, two historic cemeteries were identified (9GW682, 9GW683; Table 1). Because no subsurface testing was conducted at the sites, the NRHP eligibility of the cemeteries under Criterion D is unknown. New South recommends any proposed improvements to SR 124 specifically extending into the bounds of the Grace Baptist and Mt. Zion Baptist Church cemeteries be redesigned to avoid disturbing human remains. If avoidance is not possible, then a grave relocation permit will need to be obtained and GDOT will need to comply with OCGA 36–72.