I’m stoked about next week’s Debate Club—we’ve got a stellar panel to debate the merits of potentially building a 12-lane bridge between Vancouver and Portland.

I wrote about this issue for the paper that’s on the streets right now. I’m decidedly con on the big bridge, and would love to see transit and tolls roll out before we opt to build new lanes and invite new auto traffic. But hey, maybe bridge proponents will convince me that cars will run on angels’ tears by 2015, and the only thing they’ll emit into the air will be butterflies and rainbows? Totally possible.

Since I’m so freakin’ biased on this project, Tara Sulzen at the Bus Project took on the task of putting together the panel. And damn, did she do a good job. Also! We’re at a new venue, and Debate Club is now all ages!

Check it out:

The Bus Project and the Portland Mercury present March’s Debate Club: The Columbia River Crossing

Tuesday, March 25, 7pm

New location: The Edge of Belmont (SE 34th between Belmont and Morrison, Portland)

ALL AGES! FREE!

Join the Bus Project and the Portland Mercury for our monthly hot topic debate with Dialogue, Democracy and Drinks. What’s your take on what could be the largest public works project in Pacific NW history?

With Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder as Moderator and experts on both sides of the issue, (including state economist Joe Cortright of Impresa Consulting, Washington’s Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart and representatives from Coalition for a Livable Future and the Columbia River Crossing) come to find out for yourself what the options are for the Columbia River Crossing. Who decides if we’re building a new I-5 bridge? What are the options on the table now? How much will it cost? Who is involved in the planning?

Don’t know much about it yet? Check out the CRC website for some info on how the debate breaks down.