Hudson Prince Engineering & Inspection provided cultural resources and environmental services for the replacement of the County Road NS-278 bridge and associated roadway approaches over a tributary to Little Beaver Creek in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Located approximately 4.5 miles west and 1.5 miles north of US-81 near Marlow, the project included replacement of an aging, structurally deficient bridge and improvements to a rural roadway corridor. The environmental study area encompassed approximately 5.7 acres along the existing and proposed right-of-way.
Hudson Prince led the cultural resources effort in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation Cultural Resources Program (CRP) procedures. Services included comprehensive background research, records review through the Oklahoma Archeological Survey (OASIS) and SHPO databases, evaluation of previously recorded sites within the project vicinity, and analysis of historic mapping and aerial imagery to establish the cultural context of the study area.
Field investigations included an archaeological pedestrian survey supported by systematic shovel testing to identify and evaluate potential cultural resources within the project limits. Additionally, a reconnaissance-level survey of the historical built environment was also conducted. No cultural resources were documented.
Hudson Prince documented findings and prepared draft and final technical reports in accordance with CRP standards. The team also provided documentation to support coordination with ODOT, SHPO, and consulting tribes.
In addition to cultural resources services, Hudson Prince supported the overall environmental process through NEPA documentation, including biological and hazardous materials studies, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of environmental constraints. This integrated approach allowed the project to advance efficiently through environmental clearance while addressing cultural resource considerations early in the project development process.
