Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Proposed SR 140 Widening from East Cherokee Drive to I-575, Cherokee County, Georgia

On November 19 and 20, 2008, and February 4, 2009, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc . (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey of the proposed widening of State Route (SR) 140 from East Cherokee Drive to Interstate (I) 575, Cherokee County, Georgia. The proposed project, CSSTP-0006-00(40), would provide for the widening and reconstruction of SR 140 from the intersection of County Route (CR) 765/East Cherokee Drive northward to I-575 in the City of Canton, Cherokee County, for a length of approximately 5.61 miles. The goal of the survey was to locate and evaluate archaeological sites within the Area of Potential Effect (APE) of the proposed undertaking, so that potential effects to archaeological resources could be evaluated in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The project was conducted for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) under a contract with Ayres Associates.     A review of the Georgia Archaeological Site Files (GASF) at the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens showed that two previously recorded sites (9CK694 and 9CK695) are in the project area. Sites 9CK694 and 9CK695 were surveyed thoroughly and no cultural material was recovered from the sites. The sites were likely destroyed during the construction of a transmission line that crosses them. Three archaeological sites (9CK680, 9CK696, and 9CK699) are situated within a one kilometer (km) radius of the corridor. The proposed project would have no effect on these latter sites as they are outside the APE of the present undertaking.     No archaeological sites were identified during the survey; however, one isolated find was recovered. The isolated find is of low research value and is therefore ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Based on the results of the survey, EPEI recommends that no further archaeological work is necessary in the APE. Therefore, EPEI recommends clearance for construction for the project as currently designed.