Archaeological Assessment of Project MLP-943(1), Jasper County

GDOT project MLP-943(1) proposes to construct a connector road east of Monticello from the intersection of SR 16 and SR 3 80 northwesterly on new location to intersect SR 83. The proposed roadway construction would be an extension of SR 380 and would consist of two 12-foot asphaltic concrete travel lanes with 8 foot rural (grassed) shoulders. The proposed project would also include the construction of a bridge over White Oak Creek and the construction of a culvert at a small tributary to White Oak Creek. Also, an at-grade crossing of the Norfolk Southern Railroad would be constructed as part of the proposed project. There would be between 100 and 300 feet of right-of-way required to implement the construction of the proposed project. The total project length would be 3.01 miles.

An archaeological survey (Level II) was conducted in accordance with GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines developed by the GDOT Staff Archaeologists in consultation with DNR Historic Preservation Division Staff and concurred in by the Federal Highway Administration and State Historic Preservation Officer. These guidelines provide general survey boundaries and methodological approaches to archaeological surveys based on the type/scope of work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources.

Five archaeological sites [9JA356- 9JA360] were found with in the current project's area of potential effect, but none are recommended as eligible for inclusion to the NRHP. The project historian will evaluate the Central of Georgia/Norfolk Southern railroad for NRHP eligibility. No existing or eligible National Register archaeological resources were located within the project's area of potential environmental effect. It is concluded, therefore, that the project will have no effect upon archaeological resources on or eligible for inclusion in the NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above.