The proposed project would consist of the intersection improvement of State Route 26/U.S. Highway 80 with State Route 30/U.S. Highway 280 in Blitchton (see attached location map). The project would provide left turn lanes on State Route 26/U.S. Highway 80 approaching State Route 30/U.S. Highway 280. Right and left turn lanes would be added on the northbound approach of State Route 30/U.S. Highway 280. Also, a right turn lane would be added to State Route 26/U.S. Highway 80 westbound allowing for turns on to County Road 152, and a right turn lane would be added to State Route 26/U.S. Highway 80 eastbound allowing for turns onto State Route 30/U.S. Highway 280 southbound. Total length of the project is approximately 0.4 mile. Existing right-of-way along State Route 26/U.S. Highway 80 and State Route 30/U.S. Highway 280 is 100 feet. Proposed right-of-way would be an additional 100 foot miter on the northern and southeastern corners and an additional 80 foot miter on the southwestern corner of the intersection. This project was originally surveyed in May 2009 and since that time additional right-of-way has been added. This project was originally surveyed in May 2009 and since that time approximately 15 feet of additional right-of-way has been added to the northeast quadrant and the southwest quadrant has been lengthened by approximately 30 feet. An archeological survey (Level II) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archeologists 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 archeological surveys based on the type/scope of work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. By agreement, since no archaeological resources were located within the project's area of potential effect, no signed concurrence form the State Historic Preservation Officer 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.
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