Archaeological Reevaluation of Project STP00-2984-00(001) Hall County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, GDOT Project STP00-2984-00(001), Hall County, has been surveyed with respect to archaeological resources, especially those on or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The purpose of the survey was to locate, identify, and evaluate the significance of any archaeological resources within the proposed project’s area of potential environmental effect.

The proposed project consists of the widening, reconstruction, and relocation of SR 347/Friendship Road and Thompson Mill Road from just east of I-985 approximately mile log 4.1, and ending at SR 211 approximately mile log 12.0. It is located in southern Hall County. The existing ROW is 80 feet and required ROW is generally 200 to 300 feet with a maximum of 600 feet. The proposed typical section for the entire 7.9 miles is an urban curb and gutter six and four lane roadway section divided by a 20-foot wide raised grass median with 22-foot wide outside shoulders including 10-foot wide multi-use paths. The existing two-lane roadway would be widened to six lanes from I-985 to Williams Road, with outside lanes in each direction 11 feet wide and center lane 12 feet wide, tapering from six lanes to four 11 foot lanes by Dunbar Road. The roadway continues as four 11 foot wide lanes to Chateau Corners Drive where it again becomes six lanes, 2 – 11 foot wide and center lane – 12 foot wide in each direction, continuing to SR 211. A 20 foot wide raised median is retained and 12 foot wide turn lanes, as needed, would also be included. Total project length is approximately 7.915 miles. The project termini would tie into the existing six lanes along SR 347 at the I-985 interchange and end at an important regional route, SR 211, to the east. The revised project disturbed area is 226.61 acres. Changes listed below.

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 archeological surveys based on the type/scope of work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources.

By agreement, since no archaeological resources were located within the project's area of potential effect, no signed concurrence form the State Historic Preservation Officer is required. 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.