In late March 2001, Southeastern Archeological Services conducted an intensive archeological survey of the proposed widening of a 3.8 km (2.4 mi) length of Riverside Drive in Macon. The project requires a right-of-way extending about 10 m (33 ft) from the edge of existing pavement, with a typical construction easement (for cutting and filling) extending about 15 m (50 ft) and a maximum of 38 m (125 ft) from edge of pavement. The widening will occur on the west side of Riverside Road, but there will be minor amounts of filling on the east side. The southern two-thirds of the project area is very heavily developed with roadside businesses, and most of the remaining project area is consumed with existing graded shoulders and fill slopes. Archival sources indicate that Riverside Road was built just prior to 1950. Only one potential historic resource (50 year old structure) was identified in archival sources and it has been completely obliterated by modern development. No archeological sites have been previously recorded in the project area. Our survey of the limited intact project area encountered no archeological sites or resources. It is the opinion of the principal investigator that the proposed widening project will not adversely affect any significant (i.e., eligible to the National Register) archeological sites and should be given clearance to proceed without further work.
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