Archaeological Reevalution of Project EDS-441(5), Laurens County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project EDS-441(5), Laurens County, has been surveyed with respect to archaeological resources, especially those on or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The purpose of the survey was to locate, identify and evaluate the significance of any archaeological resources within the proposed project's area of potential environmental effect. The proposed project would construct a bypass on the west side of Dublin, Georgia. The roadway would be built both on new location and on existing location. The project would begin south of Dublin just north of the intersection of US 441 and Firetower Road and proceed northerly to a point northwest of the intersection of US 441 and Strawberry Road, north of Dublin. An additional 170 feet of right-of-way would be required along Firetower Road and 250 feet would be required for all new location sections. The total project length would be 8.7 miles. This reevaluation was concerned with two design shifts. The CR 359/Edwards Lane Connector has shifted approximately 750 feet north from its original proposed location and the main corridor was shifted slightly to the east between the Georgia Central Railroad and CR 336/ Waldrep Industrial Boulevard. An archaeological survey (Level II) was conducted in accordance with GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines developed by the GDOT Staff Archaeologists in consultation with DNR Historic Preservation Division Staff and concurred in by the Federal Highway Administration and State Historic Preservation Officer. These guidelines provide general survey boundaries and methodological approaches to archaeological surveys based on the type/scope of work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. No existing or eligible National Register resources were located within the project's area of potential environmental effect. It is concluded, therefore, that the project will have no effect upon archaeological resources on or eligible for inclusion in the NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above.