Archaeological Reassessment of Project NH-035-1(26), Rockdale County

In November of 2005, the Department of Transportation conducted an Archaeological Reassessment of Project NH-035-1(26), Rockdale County. In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project NH-035-1(26), Rockdale County, 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 original proposed project would consist of the construction of a two-lane roadway with turn lanes as needed, built on new location between Old McDonough Road and Old Salem Road. Required right-of-way for the new location section varies from 90 to 120 feet, for a length of approximately 0.83 mile and was surveyed by GDOT archaeologists in 2001 with negative results. Since that time, the proposed project has been redesigned to allow Salem Gate Drive to extend to Iris Drive to form a 90-degree angle intersection, the cul-de-sac located at the end of Salem Gate Drive has been eliminated in favor of an intersection, and both sides of SR 138 would be cul-de-sac with no access from Salem Gate Drive or Old Salem Road. An archaeological survey consistent with the project description was conducted for the entire length of the project corridor. An archaeological survey (Level I) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archaeologists in consultation with DNR Historic Preservation Division 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 work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. No existing or eligible National Register 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.