An Archeological Survey of State Route 135 Bridge Over an Abandoned Railroad, Coffee County, Georgia

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) through several contracting firms is undertaking maintenance on numerous bridges throughout the state. In most cases this maintenance involves the replacement of an existing bridge. The GDOT has subcontracted with Edward-Pitman Environmental, Inc., and through them with Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. to conduct cultural resources survey at each location. In this case, only a single bridge was surveyed. This is the existing highway bridge that carries two-Ianed SR 135/U.S. Highway 221 over the bed of an abandoned railroad, on the southwest edge of the town of West Green in eastern Coffee County (figure 1). The survey was performed so that the GDOT is in compliance with federal regulations concerning the identification and protection of significant cultural resources (National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended; 36CFR800) during federally funded projects.

         According to the project concept report the proposed project consists of removing the bridge and replacing it with an at-grade intersection. Since the railroad has been abandoned the bridge is no longer needed and po es some sight distance hazards in both directions. The removal of the bridge will improve visibility and safety at the intersection. During the deconstruction, traffic will be detoured onto an existing dirt road that lie east of the crossing (Figure 2). This road will be paved for the project. The project length is .66 km. All work will occur within existing rights-of-way of SR 135 or the adjacent dirt road except for where the detour road will merge back into SR 135 at the north end of the project area. Here a 30 m (l00 ft) length of 8 m (25 ft) wide right-of-way will be needed.