Second Addendum to the Phase I Archaeological Survey for the Future I-985 Interchange (Exit 14) North of Flowery Branch, Hall County, Georgia

In August 2015, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted an addendum Phase I archaeological survey of Martin Road, between Falcons Parkway and State Route (SR) 53 in Hall County, Georgia, which is a second addendum to the Phase I Archaeological Survey for the Future Interstate (I-) 985 Interchange (Exit 14) North of Flowery Branch, Hall County, Georgia (Georgia Department of Transportation [GDOT] Project No. NHS00-0000-00[425], P.I. No. 0000425, HP No. 060811-004). The goal of the survey was to locate and evaluate archaeological sites within the APE and ESC of the proposed undertaking so that the potential effects to identified resources could be evaluated in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

The planned improvements will provide a new diamond interchange (Exit 14) on I-985 near Martin Road between Exit 12/Spout Springs Road and Exit 16/SR 53. A new four lane divided road (Martin Road Extension) will connect H.F. Reed Industrial Connector at Thurmond Tanner Road on the west side of I-985 with Martin Road at SR 13/Falcon Parkway on the east side of I-985. A 4-foot-wide bike lane will be installed on the north and south sides of the Martin Road Extension. The Martin Road Extension will cross over I-985 by a fly-over bridge. As part of the project the Thurmond Tanner Road and H.F. Reed Industrial Connector intersection will be improved to provide dual left turn lanes for southbound traffic turning east. A 4-foot-wide bike lane will be installed on both sides of H.F. Reed Industrial Parkway. Similarly, the SR 13/Falcon Parkway and Martin Road Extension intersection will include dual left turn lanes for northbound traffic turning west and eastbound traffic turning north. SR 13/Falcon Parkway will be widened and will include a raised median, shoulders with curb and gutter, a sidewalk, and 4-foot wide bike lanes on both sides within the project limits. H.F. Reed Industrial Parkway and Martin Road will be widened to provide a transition from the new four-lane divided Martin Road Extension to the existing two lane roadways. No improvements to I-985 are planned beyond new south and northbound exit and entrance ramp tie-ins and installation of regulatory warning and guide signs for the new interchange/Exit 14. Two water quality ponds, one on each side of I-985, will be created as part of the project.

The Area of Potential Effect (APE) for this second addendum survey consists of a 150-foot wide corridor along the centerline of Martin Road, from Falcons Parkway to SR 53. In addition, a 100-foot expanded survey corridor (ESC) was added to each side of the corridor as stipulated by the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) Environmental Procedures Manual (GDOT 2013). The survey area for this project incorporates both the APE and the ESC. Prior to the commencement of fieldwork, a review of the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) and Georgia’s Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS) database was completed. These data indicate that no sites have previously been recorded within the survey area, and only four sites were located within a 1-kilometer radius. Furthermore, four previous archaeological surveys have been conducted within a 1-kilometer radius of the project area, only one of which was responsible for the recording of the four sites within the 1-kilometer radius (Joseph and Davis 2014).

As a result of this survey, two newly recorded resources, 9HL605 and 9HL606, were identified. Site 9HL605, located in the ESC, was determined to be a small late nineteenth to early twentieth century historic house site. A review of historic aerials indicates the possibility of a house at this location, but subsequent maps and aerials do not show a structure at this location. The realignment of Martin Road in the mid-1960s likely demolished the residence, leaving a small historic scatter representing the rear portion of the yard. A low density of artifacts were recovered. In addition, a small square depression was noted (2 meters by 2 meters), likely representing a privy or small agricultural outbuilding. No artifacts were located in the APE.

Due to shallow artifact deposits and their relative low density, this site is unlikely to contribute significant archaeological data due to its overall physical disturbance from road construction. The site boundary was not fully defined to the south as the limits of the survey area was reached. Therefore, the portion of site 9HL605 within the ESC lacks significant data potential; however, the overall eligibility of the site for listing on the NRHP under Criterion D remains unknown.

9HL606, located in the APE, is a precontact site dating to the Woodland or Mississippian periods. The site is a low density artifact scatter consisting of non-diagnostic precontact ceramics and lithic artifacts. Despite the recovery of sand tempered ceramics, and due to their eroded nature and small size, only a very generic assessment can be made of temporal affiliation. The lithics consist of flake fragments, a thinning flake, and a retouched flake. While the site has been fully delineated, it appears to have been impacted by the realignment of Martin Road in the mid-1960s, as well as the construction of a power station on the north side of Martin Road. Site 9HL606 is a low density precontact artifact scatter that has little potential for significant archaeological research. Therefore, site 9HL606 is recommended as ineligible for listing on the NRHP under Criterion D.