Archaeological Reevaluation of Project NH-003-3(53), Clarke County HP-001108-006

"In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project NH-003-3(53), Clarke 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. This proposed project would improve the SR 10 Loop/Atlanta Highway Interchange in Clarke County. The project would construct a new loop ramp from Atlanta Highway westbound to SR 10 Loop southbound. This would require the realignment of the existing ramp from SR 10 Loop to Atlanta Highway. A deceleration lane will be added to SR 10 Loop southbound for the realigned ramp, and the ramp will be widened to two lanes. Further improvements include the realignment of the existing loop ramp from Atlanta Highway eastbound to SR 10 Loop northbound to allow for a 25 mph design speed. The project would also widen Atlanta Highway in the project vicinity by four lanes and adding or lengthening several turn lanes. Additionally, this project includes improvements to the Huntington Road and Atlanta Highway intersection, as well as the relocation of the Jennings Mill intersection. Existing right-of-way on Atlanta Highway is 85-200 feet and the proposed right-of-way would be 120-200 feet. Existing right-of-way on SR 10 Loop is 200-300 feet and no proposed right-of-way would be required. Existing right-of-way on Huntington Road is 75-100 feet and the proposed right-of-way would be 100125 feet. Existing right-of-way on Jennings Mill Road is 50-75 feet and the proposed right-of-way would be 75 feet. This reevaluation was concerned with the addition of minor amounts of right-of-way and easements. There are seven new areas of right-of-way or easement that range in size from 0.33 to 0.006 acre. An archaeological survey (Level II) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archaeologists in consultation with DNR Historic Preservation Section 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 proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. By agreement, because no archaeological resources were located within the project's area of potential effect, no signed concurrence from the State Historic Preservation Office is required. 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.