Archaeological Assessment of Project STP-000B(6), Columbia and Richmond Counties

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project STP-000B(6) in Columbia and Richmond Counties 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 proposed project's area of potential environmental effect. Project STP-000B(6) proposes to relocate and reconstruct a portion of County Road 1314 (Parham Road) and construct a new bridge over the CSX railroad in order to improve the safety of the railroad crossing. The existing alignment of Parham Road consists of a 20-mph 23-foot wide two-lane unimproved county dirt surfaced roadway with no shoulders, and an at-grade railroad crossing. The existing right-of-way is 40 feet. The proposed construction would consist of a 21 0-foot by 32-foot reinforced concrete bridge approximately 200 to 250-feet southwest of the existing at-grade crossing. A portion of the existing roadway would be realigned and reconstructed to align with the new bridge and intersect with SR 1 0/US 78 at a 90 degree angle. Between 50 and 150 feet of additional right-of-way would be required for the completion of this project, and the total project length is 1600 feet. An archaeological survey (Level III) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT/FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guidelines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archaeologists 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 archaeological surveys based on the type/scope of work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. No existing or eligible National Register resources were located within the project's area of potential effect. 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.