Phase I Archaeological Resources Survey for the Proposed SR 172 Over South Fork Broad River Bridge Replacement Madison County, Georgia

Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted an intensive Phase I archaeological resources survey on 9 October 2002 for the proposed South Fork Broad River Bridge Replacement (State Route [SR] 172 over South Fork Broad River) in Madison County, Georgia, under contract with Greenhorne & O'Mara, Inc. The project corridor is approximately 487 meters (1,600 ft) long and is located along SR 172 where it crosses the South Fork Broad River. The project corridor extends approximately 243 meters (800 ft) northeast of South Fork Broad River and runs parallel to SR 172. The project also extends approximately 243 meters (800 ft) southwest of South Fork Broad River and runs parallel to SR 172. The project corridor width is approximately 60 meters (200 ft). For this project, the area of potential effect (APE) is defined as the length and width of the project corridor. Background research and field survey were conducted to provide accurate and reliable locations of archaeological sites in the project area, provide an evaluation of National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility for all identified archaeological resources in the project corridor, and provide recommendations for mitigation if avoidance of NRHP eligible sites is not possible. This survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act (1992, as amended). The archaeological field survey consisted of pedestrian inspection of the entire project corridor. Visual surface inspection and shovel testing were conducted within the project boundaries. Shovel tests were dug at 30 meter (100 ft) intervals within single transects traversing the length of the corridor on both the eastern and western sides of SR 172. The field investigation resulted in the identification of a demolished, early-twentieth-century hardware store/residence (9MD186). This site does not meet the NRHP eligibility criteria and is recommended ineligible. Brockington and Associates, Inc., found no significant archaeological resources within the project (APE). Archaeological clearance for the proposed South Fork Broad River Bridge Replacement is recommended.