Phase I Archaeological Resources Survey of the Truman Parkway/ President Street Overpass

Between 6 and 10 April 2009, Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted a Phase I archaeological resources survey of proposed changes to the intersection of Truman Parkway and President Street in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. This investigation was carried out for the Georgia Department of Transportation, through a subcontract with Thomas & Hutton Engineering Co., in partial fulfillment of guidelines established by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, by personnel qualified under 36 CFR Part 61. The project area consists of a corridor of approximately 61 meters (200 feet) in width along a 0.8 km (0.5 mile) span of President Street and a 0.8 km (0.5 mile) span of Truman Parkway, with an additional 122 meters (400 feet) in width at the entry and exit ramps for Truman Parkway. Brockington personnel used background research and cultural resources survey to identify potentially significant resources within the project's area of potential effect (APE). Background research conducted on NAHRGIS identified one previously recorded archaeological site adjacent to the APE for the proposed overpass and traffic realignment at President Street and Truman Parkway. This site (9CH4) has been determined eligible for the NRHP; during the construction of Truman Parkway the land containing the site was purchased by the City of Savannah and fenced for its protection. In addition to Site 9CH4, nineteen previously recorded archaeological sites are located with a 0.8 km (0.5 mile) radius of the project area, but none of these archaeological resources are located within an area of direct or indirect affect for the proposed project. The archaeological resources survey verified that modern development heavily disturbed much of the project area. During this investigation, Brockington recorded one isolated find (Isolate 1) and one site (9CH1217). Site 9CH1217 is a very small scatter of latenineteenth and twentieth century artifacts, comprised of seven artifacts from a single provenience. The site is located directly adjacent to President Street, within the area defined by the off ramp from Truman Parkway; Site 9CH1217 shows extensive disturbance and possible redeposition. Brockington recommends Site 9CH1217 not eligible for the NRHP. Isolated finds are generally regarded as ineligible to the NRHP Site 9CH4 has been determined eligible, and will be avoided by the proposed undertaking. Current construction plans indicate avoidance. If avoidance is not possible, or not feasible, we recommend Phase III mitigation of this site. Beyond. these results, we find no other cultural resources issues of concern and recommend that the undertaking be allowed to proceed, pending the avoidance of Site 9CH4.