On April 14, the
William Pitt Debating Union asks
Should the Mon-Fayette Expressway Be Completed? during a
free public debate at 6p.m. in Frick
Fine Arts Auditorium, located at 650 Schenley Dr. in Oakland.
Experts Andrea Boykowycz of
PennFuture and Shawn Fox with
Allegheny County, along with students Colin Esgro and Richard Pittman, will debate the question during a format that includes audience participation, opening speeches, questions from student panelists, and closing remarks. The second installment in a new series funded by program alum Marcella Finegold, the debate asks participants to examine an overarching "Future of Pittsburgh" theme. In 2011, debate transcripts and analysis will be published.
Homing in on transportation led students to a timely and complex topic. While portions of the Mon-Fayette’s proposed 66 miles are complete, funding is not secured for key segments that would traverse Allegheny County. Advocates favoring the expressway’s completion argue that it would ease economic stress within the Mon Valley and traffic congestion along I-376. Opponents are concerned with the project’s cost and timeline, and argue that public resources and energies would be better invested in alternative transportation projects and existing infrastructure.
“Students had to come up with an issue that’s robust, engages interest and is salient. When the debate process is live, it directly contributes to deliberation in the community about a pending issue and has long-term value as a deliberative record,” says debating union director Gordon Mitchell. “This is one of the onion peeling topics—it’s philosophical, environmental and is about quality of life. One of the beauties of public debate is that you get to pick your topics and craft your format.”
To view the debate via webstream, go
here.
Writer:
Jennifer BaronSources: Gordon Mitchell, director
, William Pitt Debating Union
; Andrea Boykowycz, outreach coordinator, PennFuture
Image courtesy William Pitt debating union/University of Pittsburgh