Phase I Archaeological Survey Addendum and Phase II Archaeological Testing for the Bridge Replacement on State Route 36 over the Flint River

This report details the results of a Phase I archaeological survey and Phase II archaeological testing for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) project BRST-0157-01(009), PI 333210, Upson and Talbot County, Georgia. The proposed project will consist of the replacement of a narrow and structurally deficient bridge on State Route 36 over the Flint River, 9.6 miles east of Woodland, Georgia. The bridge, constructed in 1959, is 332' x 28'. The construction proposes to relocate State Route 36 east of its present location. The proposed new bridge will be 350' x 44' and will be located just east of the existing bridge structure. The exiting roadway is a 2-lane rural section with 12' travel lanes and 6' shoulders (2' paved) and the existing right of way is 100' wide. The relocated State Route 36 will consist of two 12' lanes with 10' rural shoulder (2' paved). The proposed right of way is an additional 100'. The existing bridge site, after the bridge is removed, is proposed by the Department of Natural Resources to include construction of a new boat ramp. The proposed project length is approximately 0.55 mile. A reevaluation was submitted in February 2011 that extended the project limits on both sides of the bridge to tie into the existing roadway. Since the last survey, additional right-of-way has been added and the project was lengthened from 0.19 to 0.55 mile. The present archaeological survey resulted in the relocation of one previously recorded site (9UP18) within the project area of potential effect (APE). Site 9UP18, originally recorded during a 1972 survey, was described as a precontact lithic scatter, quarry, and possible earth mound. GDOT's Phase II testing resulted in the discovery of no intact features and a low density of artifacts within shallow, disturbed soils, suggest that the portion of the site within the APE has been cultivated and lacks integrity. It was determined that the portion of 9UP18 within the project APE does not contribute to the overall National Register of Historic Places eligibility of the site.