Phase I Archaeological Survey of Eighteen Intersections in the City of Albany, Dougherty County, Georgia

New South Associates has completed the archaeological survey of 18 intersections in the City of Albany in Dougherty County, Georgia in response to a request from HNTB Corporation. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) plans to upgrade a total of 18 traffic signals along SR 3BU/SR 550BU/West Oglethorpe Boulevard and SR 91/North Jefferson Street under Project PI #0010121, HP #130815‑003. The proposed improvements would increase communication capability between intersections with the addition of new LED vehicular signals, and would improve pedestrian accommodations with the installation of crosswalk striping, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramps, and countdown pedestrian signals and pushbuttons. The work for this survey was conducted per Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (36 CFR 800), and was intended to determine the presence of significant archaeological resources in the project=s area of potential effect (APE). The following table provides a list of the intersections that will be affected.

The APE for the project was based on a distance of 100 feet (30 m) from the center of each intersection (0.7 ac.). An area 100 feet (30 m) beyond the APE was defined as the Expanded Survey Corridor (ESC) as required by GDOT in the Environmental Procedures Manual and was included in the survey.

As a result of the survey, four new sites (9DU282, 9DU283, 9DU284, and 9DU285) and one isolated find were identified. Site 9DU282 is a Historic period artifact scatter with an isolated Precontact period artifact located at Intersection 3. Site 9DU283 is a Precontact period lithic scatter located on the northwest quadrant of Intersection 6. Site 9DU284 is a dense Historic period artifact scatter with a minor Precontact component located on the northeast quadrant of Intersection 9. Site 9DU285 is a low‑density Historic period artifact scatter with an isolated Precontact period artifact in the northwest quadrant of Intersection 13. The disturbed nature of the sites and a very low probability for intact features indicates that the portion of the sites within the APE do not retain sufficient integrity to address important research questions important to the history of Georgia. However, because the artifact scatters at 9DU282, 9DU284, and 9DU285 extend beyond the APE/ESC, the NRHP eligibility of each site as a whole remains unknown. Isolated Find 1 does not meet the requirements to be defined as an archaeological site and as such is considered not eligible for listing on the NRHP.

Intersection improvements are not likely to disturb archaeological sites on or eligible for listing on the NRHP. No further work is necessary to satisfy Section 106 requirements and New South recommends that the planned undertaking proceed.