Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rain Transit Project: Results of Archaeological Testing at the Proposed Maintenance and Storage Facility

Summary

Valley Metro Rail, In cooperation with the cities of Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa, plans to construct a Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) for the Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail Transit (CP/EV LRT) project. Valley Metro Rail is applying for financial support for the project from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and therefore the project is a federal undertaking that must comply with Section 106 of the National historic Preservation Act. FTA, Valley Metro Rail, City of Phoenix, and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) executed a Memorandum of Agreement in accordance with Section 106 to address adverse impacts of the project on properties eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (National Register).

There were no surface indications of any archaeological sites in the MSF project area, but background research indicated that remnants of Hohokam and early historic-era irrigation canals might be buried in a terrace of the Salt River along the northern margin of the MSF site. An archaeological testing plan was prepared and implemented as an element of the ongoing cultural resource studies being conducted in compliance with the Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement. The plan outlined a testing strategy designed to determine if archaeological resources eligible for the National Register were buried within areas that could be affected by development of the MSF (Valley Metro Rail 2003).

Archaeological testing was conducted between 22 January and 4 February 2003. Joel White led the crew that included Eric Cox, Ron Savage, Amanda Van Gorder, and Kirsten Erickson. A total of 17 person days were devoted to the fieldwork. Bruce Phillips of Archaeological Consulting Services served as project geomorphologist. Dr. A.E. (Gene) Rogge was the principal investigator. The work was conducted under the terms of Arizona Antiquities Act Project Specific Permit No. 2003-013ps, and in accordance with Maricopa County Environmental Services Department Earth Moving Permit No. E2030009. This report documents the goals, methods, and results of the archaeological testing.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• City of Phoenix DAHA Resources   •
• Digital Archive of Huhugam Archaeology (DAHA)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): City of Phoenix Archaeology Office

Contributor(s): Valley Metro Rail; City of Phoenix; Federal Transit Administration

Principal Investigator(s): Dr. A.E. (Gene) Rogge

Prepared By(s): URS Corporation

Submitted To(s): Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and Douglas, Inc.

Record Identifiers

Arizona Antiquities Act Project Specific Permit No.(s): 2003-013ps

URS Job Number(s): 23442536.05250

PGM(s): 2003-1

File Information