Archeological Survey of Project STP-0003-00(625), Bleckley County

This project proposes to widen and reconstruct the Cochran Bypass, SR 87, in Bleckley County. The project begins at MP 4.108 just south of the SR 87 Business intersection on the south side of Cochran and extends to MP 8.469 just north of the SR 87 Business intersection on the north side of Cochran (see attached location map). Existing right-of-way on SR 87 is approximately 130 ft, with approximately 150 ft of new right-of-way required. Additional small sections of required right-of-way have been added to this project since the original survey in August 2006. The project has also been extended to the south 0.192 mile and to the north 0.169 mile. Total project length is now 4.361 miles. An archeological survey (Level II) 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.