Archaeological Assessment of Project IM-20-2(151), Newton County

The proposed project consists of the widening and reconstruction of four pairs of bridges on Interstate-474-1-1-20) in Newton County. The bridge pairs are 1-20 over Alcovy Road, 1-20 over the CSX Railroad, 1-20 over the Alcovy River, and 1-20 over the Alcovy River Overflow. The proposed project would add recovery/safety shoulders 3.6 m (12 ft) to the outside and 1.8 m (6 ft) to the inside of the bridges and roadway shoulders at all four locations. All work would be confined to the existing right-of-way. Total length of the proposed project is 1.49 km (0.93 mi). An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed rights-of-way was conducted for the entire length of the 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.