Archaeological Assessment of Project CSNHS-M003-00(976), Twiggs, Bleckley, and Laurens Counties

The proposed project would consist of the removal of the outside lanes on 1-16, in both directions, to base repair and replace the lanes with concrete pavement beginning at the 1-16 and SR 96 intersection in Twiggs County and end at the 1-16 and SR 26 intersection in Laurens County. The project would also remove the inside 4' paved shoulder and 4' unpaved shoulder and replace it with a full depth 8' paved shoulder, upgrade guardrail anchors, and remove headwalls and replace with safety end treatments on drainage pipes. All work would take place within existing right-of-way. 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 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 archaeological surveys based on the type/scope of work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. By agreement, because no 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.