Archeological Assessment of Project GIP-341(22), Houston and Pulaski Counties

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, GDOT Project GIP-341(22), Houston and Pulaski Counties, has been surveyed with respect to archaeological resources, especially those in 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 project corridor. Project GIP-341(22), Houston and Pulaski Counties, would widen and reconstruct SR 11/US 341 from south of the intersection with CR 252 south of Hayneville in Houston County south to the existing one-way pair intersection in Pulaski County north of Hawkinsville. The existing right-of-way is approximately 80 feet. The proposed right-of-way from the beginning of the project near Hayneville to the intersection with SR 247 just north of Hawkinsville would be 200 feet. South of the intersection with SR 247 to the project end, the required right-of-way would be approximately 90 feet. The existing bridge at Buck Creek would be widened; a parallel bridge is to be provided as part of project BHF-002-3(6), Pulaski County. The total project length is 10.2 miles. The archaeological survey (Level III) was conducted in accordance with GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines developed by the GDOT Archaeologists in consultation with DNR Historic Preservation Section Staff and concurred with 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. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed project corridor was conducted for the entire length of the project. No existing or eligible National Register archaeological resources were located within the proposed corridor as described in paragraph two above. It is concluded, therefore, that the project will not affect archaeological resources in or eligible for inclusion in the NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above.