Archaeological Reevaluation of Project STP-00-0164-01(029), Clayton/ Fayette Counties

The proposed project would widen and reconstruct State Route (SR) 54 in Clayton and Fayette Counties. This widening would begin just north of McDonough Road in Fayette County and would extend to US 19/US 41/Tara Boulevard in Clayton County for a distance of 5.3 miles. The existing right-of-way (ROW) along this portion of SR 54 is 80 feet. The total required right-ofway for project construction would vary to approximately 210 feet, except at the Flint River, where ROW would be approximately 255 feet. In addition, this project would replace, on existing alignment, the bridges over Morning Creek, Camp Creek, and the Flint River. This reevaluation concerns an alignment shift along SR 54 at the north end of the corridor. The shift moves the alignment northwest of the existing, begins just east of Brown Rd. and ends just east of Jenni Lane, for a distance of approximately 2,750 feet. Additionally, in the area east of this shift the typical section has been minimized to 11-foot lanes, 4-foot bike lanes, 5-foot sidewalk, a 14foot flush median, and a wall. Easements for the construction and maintenance of slopes and for the construction of drives, as well as sediment basin easements, have also been added at various points along the corridor. An archeological survey consistent with these project revisions was performed within the project corridor. An archaeological survey (Level I) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archeologists 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 archeological surveys based on the type/scope of work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. By agreement, since no archaeological resources were located within the project's area of potential effect, no signed concurrence form the State Historic Preservation Officer 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.