Archaeological Reassessment of Projects NH-520-1(11), (13) and (14), Richmond County

"In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, the proposed project has been surveyed with respect to archaeological resources, especially those on or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The purpose of the survey was to locate, identify and evaluate the significance of any archaeological resources within the project's area of potential environmental effect. The proposed projects would widen, resurface, and rehabilitate Interstate 520 in Augusta. Project NH-520 (11) would repave and rehabilitate I-520 from I-20 to S.R. 4/U.S. 1. The bridge over S.R. 4/U.S. 1, the cross road bridges, and the culvert at Rae's Creek would be retained as is. Projects NH-520-1(13) and NH-520-1(14) represent a proposal to widen I-520 to three lanes in each direction separated by a 8.5 meter (28-foot) median barrier from Wheeler Road to Gordon Highway. Project NH-520(13) would widen I-520 from Wrightsboro Road to Gordon Highway. The roadway would be widened 1. 8 meters (6 feet) outside instead of 3.6 meters (12 feet) outside as originally proposed. The bridge over the Georgia Railroad would also be widened. Total project length would be 2.2 kilometers (1.37 miles). Project NH-520-1 (14) would widen I-520 from Wheeler Road to Wrightsboro Road. The roadway would be widened 1.8 meters (6 feet) inside and outside instead of 3.6 meters (12 feet) on theoutside as originally proposed. A ramp from Wheeler Road to I-20 east has been added. The bridge over Wrightsboro Road would also be widened. Total project length is 2.12 kilometers (1 .3 2 mi1es) . Existing right-of-way on I-520 in the project area varies from 61 meters (200 feet) to 152 meters (500 feet) at the Wheeler Road and Gordon Highway/S.R. 12 interchanges. A majority of both project (13) and (14) would be constructed within existing right-of-way. However, additional right-of-way would be required in a few areas. Just north of the I-520/Wrightsboro Road intersection a maximum of 36.6 meters (120 feet) of additional right-of-way would be required and at the new ramp location a maximum of 152 meters (500 feet) of additional right-of-way would be required. An archaeological survey was conducted for the entire length of the proposed project corridor. 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. No existing or potentially eligible National Register archaeological resources were located within the proposed project's area of potential environmental effect as described in paragraph two above. 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.