Addendum Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Proposed I-16/0ld River Road Interchange Effmgham County, Georgia

Moreland Altobelli (MA) performed an addendum Phase I archaeological survey of the proposed Area of Potential Effect (APE) and Expanded Survey Corridor (ESC) (hereafter called survey area) of the interchange improvements at I-16 and Old River Road (GDOT PI No. 0008613, GDOT Project No. CSNHS-0008-00[613], HP No. 081106- 001). The investigation, which was performed between November 3, 2014 and November 6, 2014, was conducted in order to locate and identify archaeological resources and to assess resource significance based on National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria [36CFR Part 60.4 (a-d)]. This survey was conducted to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, using (Code of Federal Regulations) 36 CFR Part 800 for guidance in the implementation thereof. The field survey and report were completed using the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) Environmental Procedures Manual (2010) and the Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Surveys (2014).

The original survey area, which received a Phase I archaeological survey in 2012, would widen the existing two-lane roadway and bridge on Old River Road to a four-lane divided highway with a 20-foot raised median. Left-turn lanes and right-turn lanes (12-foot wide) would be provided at major intersections and major commercial drives. The roadway would have 10-foot rural shoulders on both sides (6-1/2- foot paved with a 2-foot rumble strip adjacent to the edge of travel lane). The interchange at 1-16 would remain a diamond interchange; however, the ramps would be reconstructed with concrete. The concrete ramps would be reconstructed to meet the geometric design speed of 45 mph. The reconstructed 16-foot wide off-ramps would be widened to provide two 12-foot left-turn lanes and one 12- foot right-turn lane on the eastbound ramp approach to Old River Road. The westbound ramp approach to Old River Road would have two 12-foot left-turn lanes and two 12-foot right-turn lanes. The total length of the survey area would be approximately 0.27 miles.

Subsequent to the original 2012 archaeological survey, the project design changed and additional survey area was added. The amended survey area would add an additional 1.29 miles to the original 2012 survey, which would bring the project total length to 1.56 miles. The new survey area, which includes the original 2012 survey area and a 2007 survey northeast of Old River Road, would begin 1,300 feet south of South Park Drive and extend to 1,075 feet north of North Park Drive in Effingham County, Georgia. The existing right-of-way width varies from 100 feet to 205 feet. The proposed right-of-way required varies from 135 to 205 feet.

The current survey area is proposed to be constructed in two sections (see below). The original survey area was surveyed for archaeological materials in 2012. The current addendum includes the 2014 archaeological survey area.

2012 Phase I archaeological survey – Old River Road from 1,240 feet south of the I-16 eastbound ramp to 1,425 feet north of the I-16 westbound ramp. The total length, including tapers to match existing two-lane roadway, is 0.74 mile.

2014 Phase I archaeological survey addendum – Old River Road from 1,305 feet south of South Park Drive to 410 feet south of the I-16 eastbound ramp (0.81 mile) and from 175 feet north of I-16 westbound ramp to 1,080 feet north of North Park Drive (0.40 mile). The total length, including tapers to match existing two-lane roadway, is 1.21 miles.

This Phase I archaeological survey included a literature review and intensive field survey. During the literature review, which took place on November 1, 2014 at the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) records were examined to determine if previously recorded archaeological resources were located in or around the survey area. The field survey was conducted using surface and subsurface techniques, such as visual inspection and intensive shovel testing, to locate and identify archaeological resources within the survey area. A 100-ft Expanded Survey Corridor (ESC) was included beyond the project APE. Nine transects were placed along the project APE and ESC spanning a north/south direction.

Literature Review: Review of the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) revealed that there are four previously recorded archaeological sites (9EF283, 9EF297, 9EF298, & 9EF299) and three surveys (Koch 2012; Larson 1974; Page 2007) within a 1-km radius of the survey area. One archaeological site (9EF283) and two archaeological surveys (Koch 2012; Page 2007) are located within the current survey area.

Field Survey: There were no archaeological materials identified during this archaeological survey.

Recommendations: Based on the absence of archaeological resources within the 2014 addendum survey area, no further work is recommended. The integrity of site 9EF283 has been compromised by firebreak construction, road construction, and power line installation and maintenance. This would, in effect, disturb any remaining archaeological evidence that may exist within a sealed context. Since 9EF283 was previously studied by Brockington and Associates in 2007 and recommended ineligible for listing in the NRHP, and because the site cannot be reasonably connected to any significant event, place, or person in history, Moreland Altobelli agrees with the 2007 Brockington and Associates recommendation that 9EF283 lacks significant data potential, and, therefore, there will be no adverse effects to the site (Page 2007).