Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Memorial Drive Streetscape Intersection Improvements, DeKalb County, Georgia

The following project description is taken from the GDOT Notification letter for the Memorial Drive Streetscape/Intersection Improvements project. Due to the nature and scope of this project, the Georgia Department of Transportation, in compliance with Section 106 has determined that the project has the potential to adversely affect historic properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places that may exist in the APE. The Georgia Department of Transportation is attempting to locate and identify historic properties already listed in the National Register of Historic Places and any properties not already listed that would be considered eligible for listing that fall within the APE. This proposed Memorial Drive Streetscape/Intersection Improvements project is located on Memorial Drive/(SRIO & SR154) in DeKalb County, Georgia. The two segments along Memorial Drive connect the northern and southern project limits of HPP-IM285-1(353) SRIO Memorial Drive; with one located west of 1-285 (SRI54) and the second located east ofI-285 (SRI0). Included in this project are traffic management improvements for key intersections, aesthetic streetscape improvements, and sidewalks meeting the current requirements for the Americans with Disabilities Act. The traffic management improvements include increasing the storage length for left tum lanes, the addition of right tum lanes, and the raised stamped concrete median along Memorial Drive-segment 1, west ofI-285, several side roads.

                Aesthetic streetscape improvements include planting street trees, addition of street furniture, bus stop seating and ornamental lighting. Street trees will be planted at the back of the l0-foot sidewalk section approximately 40 feet on-center. The existing bus stops will be augmented with a concrete pad to facilitate the placement of benches and waste receptacles. Shelters for existing bus stops will also be moved to the back of the sidewalk and enhanced with additional seating and waiting space. Georgia Power Lighting Services will install street lighting comprised of fixtures chosen for aesthetic appearance and ease of maintenance. In addition to the ornamental lighting for pedestrians, directional spot lighting will also be installed to illuminate the roadway. The ornamental pedestrian fixtures will be spaced 40 feet on center between ornamental street fixtures, which will be spaced 120 feet on center. The directional spot lighting for the roadway will be spaced 120 feet on center 20 feet between the pedestrian fixtures. The first segment of the proposed project includes Memorial Drive/SRI54, west of 1-285, which begins south of Kensington Road and terminates at Mountain Drive. The intersection of Memorial Drive and Kensington Road is approximately 0.65 miles inside the eastern portion of the outer perimeter (1-285) of Atlanta. The existing right-of-way currently ranges from 110 to 120 feet and an additional maximum of 20 feet of right-of-way along Memorial and 12 feet on side streets will be added when needed. A 20-foot raised stamped concrete median will be added along Memorial Drive beginning at Kensington Road and ending at Mountain Drive and an eastbound right turn lane will be added from Memorial Drive to feed onto Kensington Road. Additionally, both northbound and southbound right turn lanes will be added from Kensington Road onto Memorial Drive and sidewalks will be added along the entire 0.28-mile segment of Memorial Drive/SRI54.

                The second segment, which is comprised of Memorial Drive/SRl0, east of I-285, starts at Indian Creek just south of Collingswood Drive and terminates slightly north of Georgia Perimeter College at Woodcroft Road. The intersection of Memorial Drive and Collingswood Drive lies approximately 0.5 miles outside of the eastern portion of the outer perimeter (1-285) of Atlanta. The existing right-of-way currently extends between 120 to 160 feet and an additional maximum of 20 feet of right-of-way along Memorial Drive and 12 feet on side streets will be added when needed. The existing two-foot raised median along Memorial Drive will be replaced by a three to four foot raised stamped concrete median. Additionally, a four-foot raised stamped concrete median will be added to Rockbridge Road and Collingswood Road. The current right-turn lane leading from Rockbridge Road onto Memorial Drive will be extended to allow for 200 feet of storage.