Patrick Barkey, the university's director of economic and policy studies, will debate the recently announced route choice with William Styring, a private economic consultant and former senior fellow with the Indianapolis-based Hudson Institute.

The speakers will follow a standard debate format with cross-examination by a panel of students majoring in economics. Audience members also may ask questions at the end of the debate.

The event begins at 3:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building, room 217. It is free and open to the public.

Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon recently announced plans to build a new terrain highway to link Indianapolis and Evansville. Opponents of the plan argue that extending I-69 by upgrading I-70 and Ind. 41 would be a superior option.

Barkey supports the governor's plan while Styring supports the I-70/Ind. 41 option.

Ball State's Department of Economics and Gamma Delta Pi, the student economics club, sponsor the program.

For more information, contact Cecil Bohanon, economics professor, at cbohanon@bsu.edu or (765) 285-5363.