Addendum to Archaeological Survey of I-20 Eastbound Improvements from Columbia Dr. to Panola Road, DeKalb County, Georgia

The proposed project consists of an operational improvement on I-20 Eastbound in DeKalb County in the vicinity of the I-20/I-285 interchange, from approximately the I-20/Columbia Drive interchange to the I-20/Panola Road interchange, for a total distance of approximately 4.5 miles. Collector-distributor (CD) lanes, modifications to general purpose lanes, ramp improvements, retaining walls, and miscellaneous structures are included in the proposed project.

The proposed project consists of constructing approximately 1.2 miles of CD lanes along eastbound I-20 from just inside I-285 to Wesley Chapel Road to help rectify weaving issues between I-285 traffic merging onto I-20 and Wesley Chapel eastbound off-ramp traffic. Additionally, I-20 would be widened from 3 to 5 lanes from just east of Wesley Chapel Road, where the 2-lane CD system would merge with I-20, for approximately 4,700 feet. From there to Panola Road (approximately 1.7 miles), one lane would be dropped and I-20 would be widened from 3 to 4 lanes.

As part of the proposed construction, the eastbound on and off ramps for Wesley Chapel Road and the eastbound off ramp for Panola Road would be reconstructed. The 1-285 NB and SB ramp to I-20 EB will also be realigned to merge with the proposed CD lanes.

The CD lanes and modifications to general purpose lanes would be constructed within the existing right of way on the south side ofl-20, and the CD lanes would be separated from the I- 20 through lanes by a continuous barrier. To mitigate the need to acquire right of way and to reduce environmental impacts, various types of retaining walls will be constructed along the length of the project.

The proposed project also provides for the construction of noise barriers/walls within the existing right-of-way ofl-20 (up to the existing ROW line) to reduce noise levels at impacted receptors. Noise walls could potentially be constructed along the following communities and neighborhoods, pending the results of the noise study and design considerations: On the north side of I-20, the Snapfinger Golf View Townhomes (Gold Vista Circle), Friendly Hills Apartments and Snapwood Apartment Homes (off Snapfinger Woods Drive), and Snapfinger Manor Townhomes. On the south side of 1-20, the Churchhill Downs neighborhood (along Rainbow Drive), Wesley Club Apartments (in the southeast quadrant of the I-20/Wesley Chapel Road interchange), Village at Wesley Chapel Apartments (along Pleasant Point Drive), Mayfair subdivision (along Treadway Drive), and in the area of the new subdivision being constructed off the west side of Miller Road.