Phase 1 Archaeological Survey for the Proposed Busbee Drive-Fey Road Connector, Cobb County, Georgia

The proposed project consists of the addition of an approximately 0.5-mile new connector roadway (hereafter referred to as the Busbee-Frey Connector) over Interstate 75 (1-75) between Frey Road and Busbee Drive approximately 1,600 feet north of the 1-75/Chastain Road interchange in Cobb County, Georgia. The Busbee-Frey Connector would be constructed by relocating approximately 1,120 feet of Townpark Lane northward to form a new intersection with Busbee Drive, and continuing Townpark Lane westward past this intersection on new location, over 1-75, and terminating at a new intersection with Frey Road at the Kennesaw State University (KSU) parking deck (at a relocated parking deck entrance). The proposed typical section of the Busbee-Frey Connector would consist of four 12-foot travel lanes (two in each direction), a 20-foot, raised, concrete median, 12-foot right- and left-turn lanes at Frey Road and Busbee Drive, and 17.5-foot shoulders consisting of 10-foot sidewalks, 2-foot grass strip, and curb and gutter. The proposed right-of-way (ROW) along the new Busbee-Frey Connector would be approximately 103 feet. The proposed typical section of the relocated portion of Townpark Lane would have two 12-foot travel lanes (one in each direction), a 12-foot center left-turn lane, and 12-foot shoulders consisting of 5-foot sidewalks, 2-foot grass strip, and curb and gutter. The proposed ROW along the relocated portion of Townpark Lane is 60 feet. Approaching the relocated intersection of Busbee Drive/Townpark Lane/Busbee-Frey Connector, Busbee Drive would be restriped and reconstructed in the southbound direction to provide one 12-foot through lane, one 12-foot left-turn lane onto Townpark Lane, and one 12foot right-turn lane onto the new Busbee-Frey Connector. The northbound direction of Busbee Drive at this new intersection would be widened to include a 12-foot right-turn lane onto Townpark Lane, a 12-foot left-turn lane onto the new Busbee-Frey Connector, and one through lane. The existing ROW along Busbee Drive within the project limits varies from 77 feet to 118 feet; no additional ROW is proposed. The former intersection of Busbee Drive and Townpark Lane to the south would remain open for access to businesses along that portion of Townpark Lane, and this portion of the former Townpark Lane would be realigned at its eastern end to form a new intersection with the relocated Townpark Lane. The existing KSU parking deck entrance on the northwest side of Frey Road would be obliterated; however, the existing parking lot entrance across the street (southeast side) would remain open as a right-in, right-out entrance. Frey Road would be restriped to include an approximately 400-foot long left-turn lane on its northbound approach and an approximately 400-foot long left-turn lane on its southbound approach to the new KSU parking deck entrance/Busbee-Frey Connector intersection. The proposed ROW along Frey Road at the intersection with the Busbee-Frey Connector is 110 feet; a small amount of ROW would be required in this area for the construction of turn lanes. In addition to these improvements, separate, continuous, 12-foot right-turn lanes would be constructed from Busbee Drive (southbound) onto the 1-75 northbound on-ramp at Chastain Road and from the 1-75 southbound off-ramp onto Frey Road (northbound). These separate right-turn lanes would allow traffic to connect directly between the interstate and Frey Road and Busbee Drive without merging into traffic on Chastain Road. Additionally, three new traffic signals are proposed as part of this project, to be located at the intersection of the new KSU parking deck entrance with the new Busbee-Frey Connector, the relocated intersection of Busbee Drive at Townpark Lane, and at the Busbee Drive/Busbee Parkway intersection.