Archaeological Assessment of Project FR-037-2(52), Clayton County

The proposed project would reconstruct and widen U.S. 23/S.R. 42/Macon Highway south of 1-285 in Clayton and Dekalb Counties. The project would begin at Anvilbiock Road in Clayton County then would extend northerly along existing U.S. 23/S.R. 42/Macon Highway section to Cedar Grove Road in Dekalb County. Existing right-of-way is 80 feet. An additional 20-50 feet of right-of-way would be required. As part of the project the entrance road to Fort Gillem would be relocated to the south adjacent to Anvilblock Road. An archaeological survey consistent with the proposed rights-of-way, exclusive of Fort Gillem, was surveyed for the entire 2.3 mile length of the project corridor. Results of discussions held with the U.S. Army and the State Historic Preservation Officer's staff indicated that a cultural resources survey on Federally owned land to be acquired for the project would not be warranted as a cultural resources survey of Fort Gillem had previously been conducted and no significant archaeological resources were found to be located within the limits of the military base (see attachment). 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. No significant archaeological resources were located within the proposed project corridor as described in paragraph two above. It is concluded, therefore, that the project will not affect archaeological resources on or eligible for inclusion in the NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above.