Archaeological Assessment of Project STP-00TS(19), Clarke County

The proposed project will re e existing traffic sii n. s stem in the city of Athens. This will include 25 intersections along SR 10/Broad Street, Clayton Street, Washington Street, Hancock Street, and Dougherty Street. In conjunction with the traffic signal upgrades, fiber optic cable will be installed along the project area. An archaeological survey consistent with the project description was conducted along the entire project corridor. An archaeological survey (Level I) 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. The archaeological survey was limited due to the complete urbanization of the project area. The ground surface of the project corridor is totally obscured by concrete sidewalks and asphalt streets, precluding subsurface testing. Background research suggests that a very low probability exists for significant prehistoric sites to have survived the intensive disturbance and development in the project area. The area of downtown Athens in which the fiber optic cable will be placed is the oldest part of the City of Athens. Therefore, given the general history of the downtown Athens area and the high probability that archaeological sites relatinq_to historic activities will be located, archaeological monitoring of the construction project will be conducted. A Special Provision for the construction contract will be submitted in accordance with 36 CFR 800.11(a) Planning for Discovery. The contract stipulation will ensure that a staff archaeologist with the Georgia Department of Transportation will monitor land disturbing activities including but not limited to excavation and drilling within the project's area of potential environmental effect. The monitoring will include the recovery, recording, and reporting of all subsurface archaeological features or artifact concentrations located. If any such features or concentrations are located during monitoring, land disturbing activity will be halted to provide sufficient time for the Department archaeologist, in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer, to evaluate their significance by applying National Register criteria, and allowing their proper excavation and recovery.