Phase I Archaeological Survey and Phase II Site Evaluation of the Proposed McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Corridor, Fulton and Forsyth Counties, Georgia

In February and March 1999, Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted Phase I archaeological survey and Phase II site evaluation of the proposed McGinnis Ferry Road widening corridor in Fulton and Forsyth Counties, Georgia, Project Number PRLOP-458-2 (117), HP Number 991207-007. The project corridor is approximately 6.8 km (4.25 mi) long and 60 meters (200 ft) wide, extending on both sides of McGinnis Ferry Road from SR 141 (Peachtree Parkway) east to the Chattahoochee River. This survey was conducted for HDR Engineering, Inc.. In January of 2000, an additional segment of McGinnis Ferry Road was surveyed. This segment begins at the McGinnis Ferry Road/Peachtree Parkway (SR 141) intersection and extends northwest 1.4 km (0.9 mi) terminating north of Sargent Road. Proposed road construction within the project corridor necessitated this study, in accordance with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) plan development process and in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended) and its implementing regulation (36CFR 800). In addition, application for a Department of the Army permit for this project requires U.S. Army Corps of Engineers review of this report (33 CFR320330). Project activities included background research, archaeological field survey, and evaluation of all archaeological resources within the project corridor for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Historic resources located in or near the project corridor are addressed in a separate report (Butler 1999). Background research identified 13 previously recorded archaeological sites within 0.8 km (0.5 mi) of the project corridor. One previously recorded site, 9FO218, is partially within the project corridor. Site 9FO218 was determined eligible for the NRHP as the result of archaeological testing conducted in 1996 (Espenshade et al. 1996). Archaeological field survey identified three archaeological sites, 9FU337, 9FU344, and 9FU345, within the project corridor. Sites 9FU337 and 9FU345 are recommended NRHP ineligible based on data obtained during field survey. Phase II site evaluation was conducted at two sites, 9FO218 and 9FU344. As a result, site 9FU344 is recommended ineligible for the NRHP. Phase II evaluation in the southernmost portion of 9F0218, covering an area up to 60 meters (200 ft) north of the existing edge of pavement of McGinnis Ferry Road, encountered no significant quantity or quality of archaeological deposits. It is unlikely that additional archaeological investigations in this part of the site would contribute to a better understanding of the site, or of regional prehistory. Based on results of these investigations, the proposed widening of McGinnis Ferry Road will not affect significant archaeological sites. Proposed construction should be granted archaeological clearance to proceed.