Phase I Archaeological Resources Survey of the Proposed Widening of SR 12/ US 278/ Covington Highway, DeKalb County, Georgia

In March 2019, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey of the proposed State Route (SR) 12/United States (US) 278/Covington Highway road widening located approximately 1.42 miles (mi) (2.28 kilometers [km]) west of Lithonia in DeKalb County, Georgia. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) proposes to improve the existing conditions of the intersection and road by expanding the section of SR 12/US 278/Covington Highway from Wellborn Road to Cragstone Court, from a four-lane section to a five-lane section, including turn lanes, curb and gutter, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalk and ramps, and bike lanes. These changes will provide operational improvements, while the sidewalks will create connectivity to the nearby mixed-use development. This project also proposes to realign Hillvale Road East directly across from Wellington Circle to create a safer and more efficient intersection along SR 12/US 278/Covington Highway. The existing right-of-way (ROW) varies from 65 feet (ft) (19.8 meters [ml) to 110 ft (33.5 m). The proposed ROW would be approximately 100 ft (30 m) to 163 ft (49.6 m) throughout the length of the project corridor. The total length of the project is approximately 1.44 mi (2.32 km).

Prior to the start of fieldwork, a review of Georgia's Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS) and the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) databases was completed. These sources revealed one previously recorded archaeological site within a 1-km radius of the current project ESB: 9DA470. This site is a mid-twentieth century historic house site located approximately 426 m east of the project ESB (GASF 2014). The site is recorded as unknown for eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). One previous archaeological survey has been conducted by GDOT in support of a resurfacing effort along SR 12/US 278/Covington Highway within the current project ESB (Duff 2007).

During the course of survey, a total of 306 shovel tests were excavated within the project ESB. Of these, 305 shovel tests were negative, while one shovel test was positive for cultural material. A total of 76 shovel tests were recorded as "No Dig" due to paved roads, parking lots, or commercial structures within the project ESB. All shovel test locations were subjected to pedestrian visual inspection in addition to shovel testing. The single positive shovel test was identified within newly recorded Site 9DA 164. Site 9DA164 is a small twentieth century historic site that remained in use throughout the twenty-first century, consisting of three historic artifacts (one piece of milk glass, one fragment of whiteware, one whole amber glass bottle) and a cinderblock foundation. The cinderblock foundation possibly represents the remains of a cinderblock pump house, common in the mid-twentieth century.