Archaeological Assessment of Project NH-75-3 (162), Gordon County

The proposed project would reconstruct the I-75/SR53 interchange in Calhoun, Georgia. The proposed project would begin west of I-75 at Lovers Lane then would extend easterly along SR53 to Curtis Parkway for a distance of 0.5 miles. As part of the proposed project an additional lane would be added to both the north entrance ramp to I-75 and to the south entrance ramp to SR53. In addition, the bridges over I-75 would be widened. No additional right-of-way would be required for the proposed project. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed project corridor was surveyed for the entire length of the project. 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 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 potentially eligible National Register archaeological resources were located within the proposed project's area of potential environmental effect as described in paragraph two above. 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.