This GDOT Archaeological Report Short Form for Negative Findings describes a Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Smith Store Road/Salem Road Improvements, Newton County, Georgia was conducted by URS Corporation in November of 2005. The proposed project would consist of the addition of turn lanes and a traffic signal to the current Smith Store Road and Salem Road (SR 162) intersection (see attached location map). The existing right-of-way measures 60 feet throughout the improvement corridor. The proposed right-of-way needed to accommodate the turn lanes would vary between approximately 100 and 110 feet. Project length along Salem Road would be approximately 1100 feet, while the Smith Store Road segment would measure approximately 420 feet. With regard to potential archaeological deposits, the APE is confined to the proposed ROW needed to effect proposed improvements. The study area lies near the top of a broad, roughly north-to-south trending ridge.Land Use/Vegetation/Ground Cover Vegetation within the study area consists mainly of grasses and trees typical of a residential setting. One lot has been overtaken by successional vegetation. Disturbances related to road construction and residential development were noted within the study area. These include cutting, filling, grading, paving, and landscaping, as well as utilities emplacement. The study area was examined completely through a combination of systematic shovel testing and visual inspection.
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