The project consists of improvements to 40 intersections in the Decatur and Avondale areas. A complete list of project intersection locations is provided in an attachment. Previous Phase I survey at these intersections resulted in negative findings (Smith 2005a, 2006). However, at the time, no right-of-way (ROW) acquisition was anticipated. Project plans have since been revised to include minor new ROW acquisition at 36 of the 40 intersections and proposed underground fiber for an advance traffic management system (ATMS), necessitating additional survey.
In another change since the previous surveys, documentation of potential instances of buried historic trolley track related to Atlanta's historic streetcar network via remote sensing has become a requirement during Phase I survey under the terms of a Programmatic Agreement (PA) established amongst the GDOT, SHPO, and the FHWA. Twelve of the 40 intersections had potential for streetcar tracks constructed before the Georgia Power Streetcar System (GPSS) was established in the early twentieth century, and these intersections were surveyed using ground penetrating radar (GPR) in a search for buried track features. Evidence of potentially extant streetcar tracks remnants under the modern pavement was identified at eight of the intersections. A report of the GPR investigation, results, and recommendations is included as an attachment to this short form.
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