GDOT Intersection Improvement, Spalding County, Georgia. Intersection of SR 16/Arthur K. Bolton Parkway and CR 55/Wilson Road

This is a brief archeological assessment of the above referenced project. As described by GDOT concept report, the project is minor, consisting of adding a stop and go turn signal with turn lanes at the intersection. A total of 12,300 square feet of new right-of-way will be required, primarily in order to add the turn lane on the southwest side of the intersection. The goal of the archeological survey was to determine if any archeological sites that are eligible to the National Register of Historic Places will be affected by construction. An archeological site is defined as a location where evidence of past human activity (more than 50 years old) was found in meaningful context. Before conducting the fieldwork we consulted with the Georgia Archaeological Site Files to determine if any archeological sites had previously been recorded at these intersections: none had. The project was surveyed on January 4, 2002 by staff archeologist Ron Schoettmer. The intersection is located on the southeast side of Griffin, Georgia (see attached map). SR 16/Arthur K. Bolton Parkway consists of five, 12 ft travel lanes with a two way left turn lane, 4 ft paved shoulder with rumble strips and a 6 ft grassed shoulder. CR 55/Wilson Road consists of two, 12 ft travel lanes, with a 6 ft grassed shoulder. The area adjacent to the intersection has been extensively developed and landscaped. Upon visiting the intersection, it immediately was apparent that the area within the existing and proposed right-of-way has been graded down to subsoil. Two negative shovel tests were excavated on the southwest and southeast corners. No archeological sites could have survived at this location due to previous disturbance. Conditions at the intersection were documented using a digital camera (see attached photograph). I conclude that no significant archeological sites will be adversely affected by the intersection improvement, and no additional archeological studies are recommended.