On June 17 and 18, 2014, Edwards‑Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey for the proposed State Route (SR) 156 over CSX Railroad bridge replacement project in Gordon County, Georgia (Georgia Department of Transportation [GDOT] P.I. No. 001041 0; and HP No. 131119‑01 0). The area of potential effect (APE) for the project consists of all construction areas, addtional required right‑of‑way (ROW), and easements. The survey area for the proposed project consists of the entire APE and a 100 foot extended survey corridor (ESC) beyond the limits of the APE.
The proposed project would replace the structurally deficient bridge (Structure ID 129‑0050‑0) located along SR 156 over the CSX Railroad bridge. The project is located two miles north of Ranger, Georgia. SR 156 currently consists of two 12‑foot travel lanes (one in each direction) with a posted speed of 55 miles per hour (mph). The bridge, constructed in 1939, is 158 feet in length and has a deck width of27.3 feet. The sufficiency rating is 50.99. The proposed bridge structure would be greater than 158 feet in length with two 12‑foot travel lanes, 8‑foot shoulders on each side, and 2‑foot barrier walls on each side. The proposed typical section along SR 156 would consist of two 12‑foot travel lanes with 8‑foot shoulders. The total project length is approximately .36 mile. No off‑site detour would be required. The existing ROW width is 80 feet and the proposed ROW width would vary between 80 and 100 feet.
A review of the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) and Georgia's Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS) database found that there have been two archaeological sites previously recorded within 1 kilometer of the survey area. None of these sites are within the survey area visited during the current study. One project has been previously conducted that has portions within the survey area. The previously recorded sites within 1 kilometer and the previous survey are discussed in detail in Chapter II of this report.
The Phase I survey for the SR 156 over CSX Railroad project resulted in the identification of one new archaeological site, 9G0333, and two isolated finds (IF). In addition to the archaeological resources within the survey area, the New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery, located in the projec viewshed approximately 40 meters west of the survey area, was recorded as an archaeological site in accordance with GDOT guidelines.
Site 9G0333 is a precontact lithic scatter situated on a low ridge in the eastern portion of the survey area. Archaeological investigations at 9G0333 found that the site has been disturbed by past agricultural activities, and that overall artifact recovery was light. All artifacts were recovered from the disturbed plowzone, and none of the artifacts are temporally diagnostic. Based on the disturbed nature of the site, the lack of temporally diagnostic materials, and the small, non‑diverse artifact assemblage, the ability of the portion of 900333 within the survey area to yield information significant to the culture history of the region has been compromised. For these reasons, the portion of 900333 in the survey area lacks significant data potential and therefore, there will be no adverse effects to the site. The site was fully delineated within the project boundary. For these reasons, 9F0333 is recommended as ineligible for the NRHP under Criterion D.
IF 1 consists of a single Ridge and Valley chert thinning flake found on a low ridge at the eastern extent of the survey area. Based on the data available, IF 1 is of limited research potential and does not meet established criteria for a site. No further work is recommended at this locale.
IF 2 consists of a single Ridge and Valley chert utilized flake found in a shovel test on a low ridge in the eastern portion of the survey area. Based on the data available, IF 1 is of limited research potential and does not meet established criteria for a site. No further work is recommended at this locale.
The New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery, 9G0334, is located approximately 40 meters west of the survey area, on the north side of SR 156. Although the cemetery is outside the APE and ESC of the current project, it is within the project viewshed, and was recorded as an archaeological site in accordance with ODOT guidelines.
Site 9G0333 is recommended ineligible for the NRHP under Criterion D, and construction activities will thus not have an adverse effect. Both IFs are located in the ESC for the project, and will not be impacted by construction activities in the APE. No further work is recommended for the SR 156 over CSX Railroad bridge replacement project. It is recommended that an environmentally sensitive area (ESA) be established along the APE boundary for the length of both IFs to protect the deposits in the ESC, and potential deposits that may lie outside the survey area boundaries.
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