Phase I Archaeological Survey, Off-System Safety Improvements at Three Locations, DeKalb County, GA

For this safety action project, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) proposes safety improvements along three roads in DeKalb County, totaling about 7.97 miles. All of the work for this project will take place within the existing right-of-way (ROW). In addition to vegetation clearing, the project will also introduce new signage and striping to improve visibility and safety at three consecutive intersections. On Panola Road between Snapfinger Woods Drive and South Stone Mountain-Lithonia Road, the project proposes new striping, signage, and concrete islands along 3.85 miles of roadway. The concrete island installation will take place within existing pavement and will not require survey. On North Druid Hills Road between Lawrenceville Highway (SR 8) and Briarcliff Road (SR 42), the project proposes signage and striping within the ROW along 3.9 miles of roadway. A memo of understanding (MOU) in place between GDOT, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Georgia Historic Preservation Division from February 2015 states that road striping and highway signage have no potential to cause effect to archaeological resources and therefore don't require survey. The project also proposes vegetation clearing and disposal as well as signage and striping on 0.22 mile of Pleasant Hill Road between Pleasant Hill Way and Twin Valley Trail. The APE for this project is limited to the south half of the 60-foot wide existing ROW along Pleasant Hill Road since vegetation clearing is the only proposed activity that could impact archaeological resources.