On June 16, 2014, Edwards‑Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey for the proposed United States (US) 41/State Route (SR) 3 over Lynn Creek bridge replacement project in Gordon County, Georgia (Georgia Department of Transportation [GDOT] P.l. No. 001 0409; and HP No. 130815‑002). The area of potential effect (APE) for the project consists of all construction areas, additional 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 129‑0003‑0) located along US 41/SR 3 over Lynn Creek. The project is located 5 miles south of the City of Calhoun, Georgia. US 41/SR 3 currently consists of two 12‑foot travel lanes (one in each direction) with a posted speed of 55 miles per hour (mph). The existing bridge deck is deteriorating and the structure has a sufficiency rating of 39.98. The bridge, constructed in 1949, is 105 feet in length and has a deck width of 36 feet. The proposed bridge structure would be approximately 150 feet in length and 40 feet wide with two 12‑foot travel lanes and 8‑foot shoulders. The proposed typical section along US 41/SR 3 would consist of two 12‑foot travel lanes with 10‑foot shoulders. The speed limit would remain 55 mph. An off‑site detour would be utilized for construction of the project. The length of the detour route would be approximately 6.5 miles. The total project length would be approximately 1,100 feet. The existing ROW width is 150 feet and the proposed ROW width would be approximately 180 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 are four archaeological sites previously recorded within 1 kilometer of the survey area. None of these sites are within the current survey area. No projects have been previously conducted that have portions within or immediately adjacent to the survey area. The previously recorded sites within 1 kilometer are discussed in detail in Chapter II of this report.
The Phase I survey for the US 41/SR 3 over Lynn Creek project resulted in the identification of two new archaeological sites, 9GO331 and 9GO332, and one isolated find (IF).
Site 9GO331 is a precontact lithic scatter situated on an upland ridge at the northwestern extent of the survey area. Archaeological investigations at 9GO331 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 9GO331 within the survey area to yield information significant to the culture history of the region has been compromised. For these reasons, the portion of 9GO331 in the survey area lacks significant data potential and, therefore, there will be no adverse effects to the site. Because the site cannot be conclusively delineated to the north or west beyond the project boundary, the overall NRHP eligibility recommendation for 9GO331 is unknown.
Site 9GO332 is a precontact lithic scatter situated on an upland ridge in the southwestern portion of the survey area. Archaeological investigation of900332 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 of900332 within the survey area to yield information significant to the culture history of the region has been compromised. For these reasons, the portion of 900332 in the survey area lacks significant data potential and therefore, there will be no adverse effects to the site. Because the site cannot be completely delineated to the west beyond the project boundary, the overall NRHP eligibility recommendation for 900332 is unknown.
IF 1 consists of a single Ridge and Valley chert biface fragment found in a shovel test on a ridge end in the northwest 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.
All three resources 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 US 41/SR 3 over Lynn Creek bridge replacement project. It is recommended that an ESA be established along the APE boundary for the length of both archaeological sites to protect the deposits in the ESC and potential deposits that may lie outside the survey area boundaries.
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