Phase I Archaeological Survey for the Proposed SR 52 at SR 183 Roundabout in Dawson County, Georgia

The purpose of this project is to replace the existing State Route (SR) 52 and SR 183 intersection with a 130-foot diameter roundabout. The existing intersection consists of three approaching legs with a grassy median in the middle. SR 183 approaches from the south and SR 52 approaches from the northwest and the northeast in two legs due to a curve in the roadway at the intersection location. Traffic at the intersection is currently controlled by stop signs. Both SR 52 and SR 183 are classified as two-lane rural major collectors and each of the three approaching legs will remain as two-lane major collectors. Currently there is a 72-foot long, 9-foot by 6-foot triple barrel box culvert under SR 52 where it crosses over Little Amicalola Creek. The project will require the extension of the triple box culvert and additional right-of-way (ROW) for construction (an approximately 30- to 200-foot extension in width). The project will be completed within the limits of an environmental survey area, which served as the survey boundaries. An environmental survey area is a layout provided to the GDOT Office of Environmental Services (OES) that incorporates all possible design alternatives for a project within its boundaries, rather than one specific proposed project design. That way all of the necessary environmental surveys can be completed before the design plans are finalized and no additional fieldwork is necessary as the plans develop. The environmental survey area for the proposed project forms an almost “Y” shape with the SR 183 and SR 52 intersection at its center. It is oriented northwest-southeast (Figure 1). Crossing over SR 183, the southeastern boundary of the screening area spans approximately 650 feet (198 m). The southwest boundary spans approximately 956 feet