Archaeological Assessment of Project CSSTP-0006-00(864), Fulton County

The proposed project would improve the safety of the five leg intersection of State Route (SR) 154 at Cedar Grove Road and Ridge Road. The existing two lane section of SR 154 would be widened to include a 14-ft. flushed median. Safety improvements to SR 154 would also include the correction of a substandard vertical curve approaching the intersection. The intersection of Cedar Grove Road would be relocated approximately 400-ft. north of the existing intersection. This intersection of Cedar Grove Road would consist of two 12-ft. lanes (one through and one left turn lane) with a 12-ft. designated right turn lane on both approaches. Ridge Road would be relocated to tie into the relocated Cedar Grove Road at a T-intersection, which would also consist of two-12-ft. lanes (one through and one left turn lane) with a 12-ft. designated right turn lane. All proposed intersections would function under stop control. All approaches to SR 154 at the existing five-leg intersection would be closed and the pavement would be removed. The length of this project is approximately 1.14 miles and is located in unincorporated Fulton County near the City of Fairburn. The existing right-of-way at SR 154/Cascade Palmetto Highway is 150-ft., the proposed right-of-way is 150-ft. The existing right-of-way at County Road 1374/Ridge Road and County Road 1376/Cedar Grove Road is 50-ft. The proposed right-of-way is 80-ft. 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 existing or eligible National Register archaeological resources were located within the project's area of potential environmental 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.