Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Liberty Expressway/ North Jefferson Street (US 19 [SR 3]/ SR 91) Intersection Improvements Corridor, Dougherty County, Georgia

From July 24 to 28, 2000, Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted intensive archaeological survey of the Liberty Expressway/North Jefferson Street (US Highway 19 [State Route 3]/State Route 91) intersection in Dougherty County, Georgia. These investigations were carried out under Task Order 5 (Project Number NH-006-2 [55] Dougherty Co./P.I. Number 422550/HP001222-003) with Greenhorne & O'Mara, Inc., for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). The project was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and 36 CFR Part 800, by personnel qualified under 36 CFR Part 61. The Liberty Expressway/North Jefferson Street (US 19 [SR 3]/SR 91) intersection is located in Albany, Georgia, southwest of Lake Worth and the Lakeside neighborhood (Figure 1). The survey area for this project runs parallel to Liberty Expressway on both sides of the existing road for approximately 1,403 meters (4,600 ft). The outer boundaries of the survey area for the project corridor, which includes both existing and required right-of-way, extends north to south approximately 366 meters (1,200 ft), 183 meters (600 ft) on each side of the intersection center. The survey area tapers to 120 meters (393 ft), 60 meters (196 ft) on each side of US 19 [SR 3], east and west of the intersection center on US 19 [SR 3]. The outer survey area boundaries for all exit and entrance ramps extends 60 meters (196 ft) beyond the existing edge of pavement and includes both existing and required right-of-way. The project goals were to identify all archaeological resources within and adjacent to the project corridor. The Area of Potential Effects (APE), as defined in 36 CFR 800.16(d), is the geographic area or areas within which an undertaking may directly or indirectly cause changes in the character or use of archaeological properties if any such properties exist. The APE for a project is usually defined based on the guidance in the GDOTlFHWA Cultural Resources Survey Guidelines and past experience with similar projects. Due to the nature and scope of the undertaking, the APE is the area where the construction and ground disturbing activity would be confined, and the nearby surrounding area. Because improvement plans have not been finalized, GDOT has not fully defined the outer boundaries for required right-of-way for this project. As a result, a definite APE has not been established. For the present survey, the APE is defined as an area extending 60 meters (196 ft) from the edge of existing pavement on both sides of the road for the Liberty Expressway (US 19,SR3), North Jefferson Street (SR 91), and the outer exit and entrance ramps for this intersection. The existing right-of-way for this intersection extends nine meters (30 ft) to 30 meters (98 ft) from the edge of existing pavement on the Liberty Expressway (US 19) and five meters (15 ft) to 45 meters (150 ft) from the edge of existing pavement on North Jefferson Street (SR 91). The existing right-ofway extends 10 meters (35 ft) to 45 meters (150 ft) from the edge of existing pavement on the outer exit and entrance ramps for this intersection. In most areas the existing right-of-way boundary was defined by a chain link fence. During field survey the potential for visual effects from construction were also considered. Background research was conducted to identify previously recorded archaeological resources within or adjacent to the project corridor. We conducted research at the Georgia Archaeological Site Files (Athens) and the Georgia Historic Preservation Division (Atlanta). We examined sources relating to the prehistory and history of Dougherty County, as well as Georgia as a whole. The project area contained no previously identified archaeological resources. However, three sites (9DU82, 9DU84 and 9DU 117) are located within a radius of 0.8 km (0.5 in]) of the project corridor. During field survey, we conducted judgmental shovel testing near the center of the Liberty Expressway/North Jefferson Street (US 19 [SR 3]/SR 91) intersection. This included right-of-way areas for exit and entrance ramps. Two transects were then run on each side of the Liberty Expressway and North Jefferson Street. The transects ran parallel to these roads until they reached the entrance and exit ramps. The transects then followed the outer right-of-way of the ramps. Shovel testing revealed one archaeological site (9DU135), a prehistoric lithic scatter, in the northwest quadrant of the project corridor. This site is recommended ineligible for the NRHP. No further work is needed at site 9DU135. No significant archaeological resources will be effected by the Liberty Expressway /North Jefferson Street (US 19 [SR 3]/SR 91) intersection improvements project. We recommend archaeological resources clearance to proceed with proposed intersection improvements.