Intensive Archaeological Resource Survey of Signal Upgrades at Four Intersections in Fannin, Gilmer, and Pickens Counties, Georgia

The proposed project will upgrade four existing traffic signal installations in Fannin, Gilmer, and Pickens Counties, Georgia (P.I. No. 001311 0). These intersections include:

• Area 1: Intersection of State Route (SR) 515 at Ballewtown Road in Fannin County;

• Area 2: Intersection of River Street at 1st Avenue in Gilmer County;

• Area 3: Intersection of SR 53 Business (BU) at Sammy McGhee Boulevard in Pickens County; and

• Area 4: Intersection of SR 53BU at Main Street in Pickens County.

The intersection at Area 1 is characterized as a signalized, four-way stop at both the intersection of the four-lane SR 515 and the two-lane Ballewtown Road, less than one mile south of the city of Blue Ridge. Proposed improvements to this intersection are slated to occur between 90 and 170 feet from the edge of pavement along SR 51 5 for a length of 1,200 feet, and between 40 and 100 feet on Ballewtown Road for a length of approximately 580 feet. Area 2 is characterized as a "T" intersection of River Street and 1st Avenue in East Ellijay, Georgia. Proposed improvements to this area are geographically restricted by the presence of the Coosawattee River, which parallels River Street to the south, and a large hill to the north of River Street.

Proposed changes to this intersection will occur between 60 and 80 feet from the edge of pavement along River Street and approximately SO feet from the edge of pavement on the 1st Avenue Bridge over the Coosawattee River. The intersection at Area 3 represents a signalized, four-way stop at the intersection of SR 53BU and Sammy McGhee Boulevard approximately one mile west of the town of Jasper, Georgia. The area is characterized by relatively new commercial development to the south of SR 53BU and a construction staging area and powerline easement to the north. The proposed improvements to this intersection will be confined to the existing right-of-way (ROW), which is between 50 and 70 feet from the edge of pavement on both roadways. Area 4 was located in the center of downtown Jasper at the intersection of SR 53BU and Main Street. This intersection is characterized by urban development and the proposed improvements will be limited to the existing 40-foot ROW on both roads for a distance of 1,125 feet along SR 53BU and 300 feet on Main Street.