Archaeological Assessment of Project STP-001-6(39), Catoosa and Whitfield Counties

Archaeological Assessment of Project STP-001-6(39), Catoosa and Whitfield Counties. In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project STP-001-6(39), Catoosa and Whitfield Counties, 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. STP-001-6(39) proposes to widen and reconstruct SR 3/US 41 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane roadway separated by a flush median. The project would begin at CR 306/Campbell Road in Whitfield County and extend for approximately 3.28 miles to just south of the interchange with 1-75 in Catoosa County. The project would widen the roadway to the east side from CR 306/Campbell Road to CR 305/Old Lake Road. The alignment would then shift to widen on the west side of the roadway to CR 336/Wright Drive. The project would then transition to widen the roadway symmetrically to the end of the project. The proposed typical section along SR 3/US 41 would consist of four 12-foot travel lanes with a 14-foot flush median on approximately 160 feet of right-of-way. An archaeological survey consistent with the project specifications was conducted in the project area. 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.