Archaeological Assessment of Project NH-051-1(23), Clarke County

Project NH-051-1(23) would widen Winterville Road/CR 470 and add exit and entrance ramps from Winterville Road to the Athens Bypass/SR 100 Loop. The proposed project would begin approximately 91.4 m (300 ft) north of the existing bridge over the Southern Georgia Railroad on Winterville Road and would end approximately 183 m (600 ft) north of the existing bridge. The existing right-of-way on Winterville Road is approximately 24.4 m (80 ft). The required right-of-way would vary from approximately 30 m (100 ft) to 107 m (350 ft). An archaeological survey consistent with the project description was conducted along the entire .61 km (.38 mi) project corridor. 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. No existing or eligible National Register archaeological 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".