Archaeological Assessment of Project IR-20-2(135), Rockdale County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, the project has been surveyed with respect to archaeological resources, especially those on or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The purpose of the survey was to locate, identify and evaluate the significance of any archaeological resources within the proposed project's area of potential environmental effect.

The proposed project would realign the frontage roads in northeast and southwest quadrants of SR 138 and I-20. In the southwest quarter section, Old Salem Road would shift slightly south on new location between Iris Drive and McDonough Road; McDonough Road would be realigned to the east of the existing intersection with Old Salem Road. In the northeast quadrant, Dogwood Drive would follow the existing roadbed east of SR 138, but continue south on new location past the intersection with Covington Highway to the existing frontage road that parallels Interstate 20.

An archaeological survey (Level II) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines developed by the GDOT Staff Archaeologists in consultation with DNR Historic Preservation Section Staff and concurred in by the Federal Highway Administration and State Historic Preservation Officer. These guidelines provide general survey boundaries and methodological approaches to archaeological surveys based on the type/scope of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources.

No existing or eligible National Register archaeological resources were located within the project's area of potential environmental effect. It is concluded, therefore, that the project will have no effect upon archaeological resources on or eligible for inclusion in the NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above.