Phase I Archaeological Resources Survey for the Proposed Interstate 85 HOV and Interstate 85 SOV Improvements, Gwinnett and Barrow Counties, Georgia

Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted an intensive Phase I cultural resources survey of the proposed U.S. Interstate 85 (I-85) High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) and Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) improvements between 10 and 14 January and 23 June and 3 August 2005, in Gwinnett and Barrow counties, Georgia. This report discusses only the archaeological resources from this project. Refer to Stallings (2005) for details concerning the historical architectural resources recorded during this investigation. These investigations were conducted for HNTB Corporation, in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and in partial fulfillment of guidelines established by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), by personnel qualified under 36 CFR Part 61. The project area begins south of the I-85/SR 316 interchange and extends northeast approximately 21 miles (33.8 km) along I-85 just past the interchange with SR 211 (Figures 1 and 2). The existing facility varies from five lanes at the project start point to two lanes at the project end point. The proposed facility would include extending the existing HOV lane northeastward to SR211 and the construction of a concrete barricade in the median. Existing right-of-way varies from 150 feet to 1,000 feet. Proposed right-of-way would vary up to 50 feet. The majority of the project corridor is situated in developed areas along I-85. Background research at the Archaeological Site Files at the University of Georgia, Athens, found six previously recorded archaeological resources within the project corridor and 27 within a 0.8 km (0.5 mi) radius of the project corridor. Sites 9GW299, 9GW300, 9GW301, 9GW302, 9GW306, and 9GW390, are located within an area of direct or indirect effect. Sites 9GW299 and 9GW300 have been recommended eligible for the NRHP. Phase III data recovery has been conducted at 9GW299, and the site has been destroyed due to roadway construction. Site 9GW300 is predominantly intact and artifacts from this site were recovered during this investigation. Limited Phase II testing was conducted at 9GW300 during this investigation. We recommend avoidance of direct physical effects for 9GW300. Site 9GW306 has been recommended ineligible for the NRHP, but we recommend avoidance and preservation of the site due to local interests. Physical remnants of 9GW306 include a water wheel, concrete dam, and a concrete bridge. Sites 9GW301, 9GW302, and 9GW390 have been recommended ineligible for the NRHP. No artifacts or features associates with 9GW301, 9GW302, and 9GW390 were identified during this investigation, and these sites were destroyed. Twenty of the remaining 27 previously recorded resources are recommended ineligible for the NRHP and are not located within an area of direct or indirect effect for the construction of the proposed I-85 HOV/SOV improvements. The remaining seven previously recorded archaeological sites have no NRHP recommendation, and are also not located within an area of direct or indirect effect for the construction of the proposed project. The archaeological resources survey identified three previously unrecorded archaeological resources (9GW590, 9GW591, and 9GW592) and two isolated finds within the project corridor. These three archaeological resources (9GW590, 9GW591, and 9GW592) are recommended ineligible and have either reached their maximum research potential during this Phase I investigation or they do not appear to retain sufficient integrity to meet NRHP eligibility requirements.