"FM 148 from South of US Highway 80 to Spur 557 Kaufman County" by Jon Dowling

Home > Research Projects and Centers > Center for Regional Heritage Research > Index of Texas Archaeology > Vol.

Article Title

FM 148 from South of US Highway 80 to Spur 557 Kaufman County

Authors

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

Archeological survey of the Farm-to-Market Road (FM) 148 from south of US Highway (US) 80 to Spur (SP) 557 Project was carried out within northern Kaufman County, Texas. Archeological survey work was performed in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act § 106 and associated federal regulations (36 CFR 800), as well as the Texas Antiquities Code (9 TNRC 191) and associated state regulations (13 TAC 26). Blanton & Associates, Inc. conducted survey work under contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., on behalf of the City of Terrell. The purpose of the archeological survey was to locate and evaluate possible archeological deposits within the area of potential effects (APE) extending from south of US 80 to SP 557. Jon Dowling served as Principal Investigator for the project and carried out the fieldwork. The report of findings was authored by Jon Dowling and Andrea Burden. A total of 44 person hours were invested in the field for this project. Fieldwork took place between February 14 and February 18, 2017.

The proposed project would widen and reconstruct FM 148 from two lanes to four-lanes divided with curb and gutter, ditches, and sidewalks on both sides of the roadway. A new bridge section over SP 557 with north approaches would be constructed and FM 148/SP 557 intersection reconfigured to include new westbound frontage road and westbound ramp sections; both existing westbound ramps would be removed. A total of approximately 2.74 acres of proposed right-of-way (ROW) and 1.85 acres of permanent easements would be required for this project. This area is comprised of properties owned by the State of Texas (existing ROW), as well as properties that are privately owned (proposed new ROW).

The intensive archeological survey focused on the recommendations of the Dallas Hybrid Potential Archeological Liability Map (with the exception of portions of the APE that have been subject to disturbance by the existing roadway and subsurface utilities) and portions of the APE that are characterized as proposed new ROW and easements. A total 26 shovel tests and 5 backhoe trenches were excavated during the investigation. No archeological sites were encountered within the APE and no further work is recommended.