A fifth lane for left turns may be added to both West College Avenue and South Atherton Street if the Centre Region Metropolitan Planning Organization approves the project at its meeting later this month.

The CRMPO, during a work session yesterday, discussed approving a road improvement project that would include milling and resurfacing College Avenue and Atherton Street in addition to adding the turning lanes.

All of the changes would need final approval by the Centre Region Council of Governments.

Bill Trethaway, planner for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, said the original "maintenance and betterment" project -- approved in September -- only allocated funds for the additional lane and improvements on Atherton Street.

Extra funds recently were made available for the College Avenue improvements when downtown developers agreed to pay $64,000 for the left-turn lane.

Construction bids for the project are expected in May.

In other business, a regional transportation planning partnership was discussed. The joint group would oversee the "inner loop" project -- which would enable motorists passing through the region to bypass the downtown area.

Last month, COG requested that CRMPO organize a meeting of expert transportation planners to discuss the feasibility of a partnership between the College, Ferguson, Halfmoon, Harris and Patton townships and State College Borough. If a transportation partnership is established, the region would plan and allocate funds for all road improvements.

Bert Kisner, CRMPO vice chairman, said Ferguson Township has already allocated funds for a transportation partnership.

However, the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors opposed, for the second time, the use of East Clinton Avenue as part of the inner loop.

In a letter sent to CRMPO, Ferguson said the use of East Clinton Avenue would "adversely impact the residential character of the Overlook Heights area."

Kisner said Ferguson's concern would be officially addressed at a meeting of the transportation planning experts.

The University has also expressed interest in the inner loop, because plans may include roads that pass through University property.

Gary Schultz, University assistant vice president for operation and services, said in September 1988 that University officials favored an inner loop because it would cut down traffic on College Avenue and Atherton Street.

CRMPO plans to set up the meeting between transportation planning experts and municipal representatives some time between May and July, Kisner added.