Phase I Archaeological Survey for the West Winder Bypass, Barrow County, Georgia

Moreland Altobelli Associates, Inc. conducted a Phase I Archaeological Survey for the proposed West Winder Bypass in Barrow County on behalf of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). The purpose of this survey is to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act by identifying archaeological resources within the project's Area of Potential Effect (APE) and making recommendations concerning their eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). GDOT Project CSSTP-0006-00(327), PI# 0006327 proposes to widen Patrick Mill Road/CR 93 from a two-lane (80 feet wide) to a 140 feet wide four-lane divided highway with a 24-foot raised median from Barrow Industrial Parkway to approximately 1,000 feet south of Burson Maddox Road. The roadway would continue north on new location, bridge over Atlanta Highway/SR 8, the CSX railroad track and Bankhead Highway, cross Pearl Pentecost Road and connect to Thompson Mill Road/SR 211. The total length of the project would be approximately 5.0 miles. The project would also include a full-diamond interchange at SR 316 and connector roadways from the West Winder Bypass to Atlanta Highway/SR 8 and to Bankhead Highway. Major intersections would be Patrick Mill Road at Tom Miller Road, Fred Kilcrease Road/Bill Rutledge Road, Carl Bethlehem Road, Matthews School Road, Pearl Pentecost Road, and Thompson Mill Road/R 211. The required right-of-way varies from 80 feet to 180 feet. The APE for this project is defined as the existing right-of-way (ROW) and all areas where proposed road improvements would take place outside of the existing ROW. The existing ROW was disturbed during the original highway construction and subsequent upgrades. Therefore, the APE examined for archaeological resources is in most cases required ROW. Required ROW was identified by using aerial images with the project design superimposed. Transects were planned to sample these areas. A portion of one recorded archaeological site is located within the APE of this project. Site 9BW92, a mill dam, was first described in 2006. The present work extends the boundary of this site to include the former millhouse and waterwheel site located 900 feet downstream from the dam. Site 9BW92, as a whole is not sufficiently known to determine its NRHP status. Its NRHP status is therefore, unknown. The portion of site 9BW92 that is in the APE is recommended ineligible for the NRHP because it does not contribute to the overall eligibility of the site. No further archaeological testing is recommended.