The proposed project consists of the construction of a new visitors center/rest area on Interstate 85 (1-85) in Franklin County to replace the current one located just to the north in Hart County. The project provides a new building, a new wastewater treatment system, a water supply system, new parking facilities, and entrance and exit ramps. The proposed project would be constructed on a site situated on the northwest side of 1-85 near the town of Lavonia. The approximately 11.2 hectare (28 acre) site to be acquired for the main portion of the project, which includes all but the entrance and exit ramps, abuts the existing northwestern right-of-way boundary of 1-85. The project would begin at Whitworth Rd./C.R. 84 and extend northeasterly 1768m (5800 ft.) to the 1-85 and S.R. 77 interchange. The easternmost terminus is approximately 304.8m (1000 ft.) west of S.R. 77. 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.
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