Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Liberty Expressway/Clark Avenue (US19 [SR 3]/ SR 300) Intersection Improvements Corridor, Dougherty County, Georgia

From July 24 to 28, 2000, Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted an intensive archaeological resources survey of the Liberty Expressway/Clark Avenue (US Highway 19 [State Route 3]/State Route 300) intersection in Dougherty County, Georgia. These investigations were carried out under Task Order 6 (Project Number NH-006-2 [56] Dougherty Co./P.I. Number 422560/HP001220-005) with Greenhorne & O'Mara, Inc., for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). The project was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and 36 CFR Part 800, by personnel qualified under 36 CFR Part 61. The Liberty Expressway/Clark Avenue (US 19 [SR 3]/SR 300) intersection is located in Albany, Georgia, between Maple Street and Turner Field Road (Figure 1). The survey area begins at Clark Avenue and extends north along Liberty Expressway for 800 meters (2,625 ft). From Liberty Expressway the corridor runs west along Clark Avenue 480 meters (1,575 ft) and east along Clark Avenue 435 meters (1,427 ft). The outer boundaries of the project area, which includes both existing and required right-of- way, include a 120 meter (393 ft) wide survey area, 60 meters (196 ft) on each side of the road, along Liberty Expressway north of Clark Avenue. The boundaries also include a 120 meter (393 ft) wide survey area, 60 meters (196 ft) on each side of the road, along Clark Avenue. The survey area boundaries for all exit and entrance ramps extend 60 meters (196 ft) beyond the existing edge of pavement and include both existing and required right-of-way. The project goals were to identify all archaeological resources within and adjacent to the project corridor. 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 archaeological properties if any such properties exist. Based on this definition, the nature and the scope of the undertaking, the guidance in the GDOTIFFHWA Cultural Resources Survey Guidelines and past experience with similar projects, GDOT has evaluated and defined the APE for this proposed project. Because of the nature and scope of the undertaking, the APE is the area where the construction and ground disturbing activity would be confined. For this project the APE includes both existing and required right-of-way. The existing right-of-way extends approximately 15 meters (50 ft) to 30 meters (100 ft) from the edge of existing pavement on the outer entrance and exit ramps of the Liberty Expressway (US 19/ SR 300). The existing right-of-way extends approximately 3 meters (10 ft) to 9 meters (30 ft) from the edge of existing pavement on Clark Avenue (SR 91). The required right-of-way consists of a 396 meter (1300 ft) long segment on the north side of Clark Avenue extending from the Liberty Expressway north bound entrance ramp to Turner Field Road. The required right-of-way extends approximately 18 meters (60 ft) from the edge of existing pavement on Clark Avenue and 12 meters (40 ft) from the edge of existing right-of-way. During field survey the potential for visual effects from construction were considered. Background research was conducted to identify previously recorded archaeological resources within and adjacent to the project corridor. Research was conducted at the Georgia Archaeological Site Files (Athens) and the Georgia Historic Preservation Division (Atlanta). We examined sources relating to the prehistory and history of Dougherty County, as well as Georgia as a whole. The project area contained no previously identified archaeological resources. There are no previously recorded archaeological resources within 0.8 km (0.5 mi) of the project corridor. During field survey, we conducted judgmental shovel testing along ramps near the center of the Liberty Expressway/Clark Avenue intersection. Shovel testing revealed soils that were heavily disturbed by past road construction activity. Two transects were then run on each side of Liberty Expressway and Clark Avenue. The transects ran parallel to these roads until they reached the entrance and exit ramps. The transects then followed the outer right-of-ways of the ramps. No archaeological resources were found in the project corridor during the survey. No archaeological resources will be affected by the Liberty Expressway/Clark Avenue (US 19 [SR 3]/SR 300) intersection improvements project. We recommend archaeological resources clearance to proceed with proposed intersection improvements.