In March 2018, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey of the proposed bridge replacement carrying State Route (SR) 59 over Stephens Creek located in Carnesville, Franklin County, Georgia (PI No. 0013939) (Figures 1 and 2). As part of the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) statewide bridge replacement effort, GDOT proposes to replace the existing SR 59 bridge over Stephens Creek. The existing bridge was constructed in 1947 and has a sufficiency rating of 53.3. This bridge consists of five spans of reinforced concrete deck girders on concrete caps with concrete columns. The existing typical section of SR 59 consists of two 12-foot travel lanes with rural shoulders and a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour. The project is in preliminary concept phase and the proposed typical section has not yet been determined. The existing right-of-way (ROW) is 40 feet, and the proposed ROW would be determined as project plans develop. The Phase I archaeological survey was completed to assist GDOT in complying with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (36 CFR 800). The survey was supervised by personnel qualified under the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards (36 CFR Part 61 – Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation). The survey and report also adhered to the guidelines established by the Georgia Historic Preservation Office (GASHPO) and GDOT.
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