Archaeological Reevaluation of STP00-00MS-00(007) and NHSTP-0075-03(203), Gordon County

The proposed project would construct the South Calhoun Bypass using portions of the existing County Road (CR) 65/Union Grove Road and new location for a total project length of approximately 6.7 miles. The proposed project would begin at State Route (SR) 53 approximately 2.7 miles southeast of the existing 1-75 interchange with SR 53/Fairmount Highway. The project would include the construction of a new full diamond interchange at 1-75 and CR 65/Union Grove Road with a bridge approximately 330 feet long and 91.5 feet wide over 1-75. The new interchange would add an access break to 1-75, approximately 1.9 miles south of the existing 1-75 interchange with SR 53/Fairmount Highway, between Exit 306/SR 140/Folsom Road and Exit 312/SR 53/Fairmount Highway. The proposed typical section for the western terminus of SR 53 to US 41 would consist of four lanes with a 32-foot depressed median, but only two lanes would be paved initially. From US 41 to Marine Road, four lanes with a raised median and rural shoulders would be utilized in this area. From Marine Road to just east of Shaw Property, a four lane with a raised median and curb and gutter and sidewalks are proposed for this area. East of Shaw Property, the typical section transitions to a four lane raised median with rural shoulders and the remaining section from Union Grove Church Road to SR 53 east terminus would be two lanes with rural shoulders with two lanes of right of way. All side streets would be two lanes. Required right-of-way would vary between 250 and 350 feet. This reevaluation is concerned with a small increase in right-of-way of 0.003 acres near the Moore Property. 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 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.