Phase I Archaeological Survey of SR 81 at CR 309/653 and SR 162 Project Area, Newton County

The proposed project involves improvements to several intersections with SR 81 west of Porterdale, Georgia. The intersecting roads with SR 81, from west to east, include SR 162 Connector, CR 309(Crowell Road)/CR 653 (Jackson Road), 575 (Back Alley Road), CS 574 (South Broad Street), and CS 573 (Elm Street). Improvements to SR 81 include adding a 12-foot center left turn lane to the two existing 12-foot lanes, by widening SR 81 to the south. In addition, 12-foot right turn lanes will be added at the intersections of SR 81 with SR 162 Connector and CR653/CR 309. Shoulders would be 12 feet wide and include curb and gutter, a 2-foot grassed strip, and 5-foot sidewalks on both sides of the road. The existing right-of-way (ROW) on SR 81 west of the intersection with CR 309/CR 653 varies from 76 just west of the intersection to 116 feet in the vicinity of SR 162 Connector. The proposed ROW would vary from 100 feet just west of the intersection to 116 feet in the vicinity of SR 162 Connector. East of the intersection with CR 309/CR 653, SR 81 would include two 12-foot travel lanes, with a left turn lane on westbound SR 81 onto CR 653. Shoulder improvements, including new grassing and sidewalk, as well as new curb and gutter, will be made on the north side of SR 81. On the south side of SR 81, improvements would include a 12-foot shoulder containing curb and gutter, a 2-foot grass strip, and a 5-foot sidewalk. Existing ROW on this section of SR 81 is 48 feet. The. proposed ROW would be 64 feet. Proposed improvements to SR 162 Connector would include adding a 12-foot right turn lane onto eastbound SR 81 to the existing two 12-foot travel lanes. Shoulders would include 2 feet paved and 6 feet grassed sections. A 5-foot sidewalk would be constructed within existing ROW on the west side of SR 162. The existing ROW is 76 feet. No additional ROW would be required along SR 162 Connector. On CR 653 the proposed project would include constructing a 12-foot left turn lane by widening the existing two 12-foot travel lanes 6 feet in each direction as well as a new 12-foot right turn lane onto SR 81. Shoulders would consist of 4-foot paved and 6-foot grassed sections. The existing ROW is 128 feet. No additional ROW would be required from CR 653. On CR 309, the proposed typical section would consist of two 12-foot travel lanes with a new dedicated 12-foot right turn lane onto westbound SR 81. A new 12-foot left turn lane onto SR 81 will also be added by widening the existing pavement 6 feet in each direction. A 5-foot sidewalk would be constructed within existing ROW, on the west side of CR 309. The existing ROW is 96 feet. No additional ROW would be required from CR 309, with the exception of a smaller miter at the northeast corner of SR 81 and CR 309. CS 573 would become a one way road, allowing only a right turn from eastbound SR 81. The typical section would consist of a single 12-foot travel lane. The existing ROW is 36 feet. No additional ROW would be required from CS 573. The intersection of SR 81 with CS 574 and CS 575 would be closed. The areas between the existing intersections and the new end points of each road will be landscaped. Signs will be placed at the next closest intersection on each road alerting drivers that there is a dead end. There were negative findings.