Archaeological Survey of Project CSBRG-0006-00(323), Gilmer County

The proposed project would consist of the replacement of structurally deficient GDOT Bridge 123-5024-0 on CR 101/Lower Cartecay Road over the Cartecay River, 6.0 miles east of Ellijay, Georgia. County Road 101 at this location is a two-lane roadway with 10 foot travellanes with rural shoulders. This section of CR 101 is classified as a local road and is part of the GDOT's Statewide Bicycles and Pedestrian Plan, Mountain Crossing Corridor. The project proposes to construct a new 120 x 38 foot concrete bridge over the Cartecay River at the existing bridge site. The approaches would consist of two 12 foot lanes with 8 foot rural shoulders and 6.5 foot bike lanes on both sides. Existing right of way is 40 feet; proposed right of way would be 11O feet. The length of the proposed project is 0.4 mile. An archeological survey (Level II) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archeologists 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 archeological 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 archeological resources on or eligible for inclusion in the NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above.