Archaeological Reassessment of Project STP-005-1(34), Pike County, HP#001214-008

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project STP-005-1(34), Pike County have 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. This project consists of the intersection improvement of SR 18/SR 109 and SR 74 located in southern Pike County, south of the City of Molena. Each of these routes consists of two - 12 foot lanes with 6 foot rural shoulders and posted speed limits of 55 MPH. The existing right-of-way for all three routes is approximately 100 feet. The proposed roadway along SR 18/SR 109 and SR 74 would consist of two 12 foot lanes with 12 foot left and right turn lanes and 10 foot shoulders, of which 8 foot is a paved bike shoulder on SR 18/SR 109. The proposed right-of-way for all three routes is approximately 120 feet. Currently, SR 18/SR 109 intersects SR 74 as a skewed "Y" intersection. This project will realign SR 18/SR 109 to create a "T" intersection with SR 74. SR 18/SR 109 will be realigned to the east of its existing location and SR 74 will be realigned to the south of its existing location to create the "T" intersection. The project improvements will be on new location and will provide continuous east and westbound movement from SR 18/SR 109 to SR 74. The project length is approximately 0.20 mile. This reevaluation was concerned with the addition of small amounts of required right-of-way and easements along SR 74. 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 Section 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 proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. By agreement, because no archaeological resources were located within the project's area of potential effect, no signed concurrence from the State Historic Preservation Office is required. 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.