If you’ve ever driven along a highway, usually there isn’t a lot to see…some cars….trucks…and (if you happen to open your windows) a lot of noise. However, residents in the San Jose area of California are being treated to quite the spectacle as a colorful floral mosaic of sorts have left motorists somewhat baffled, not to mention distracted as they try to figure out what the picture is.

According to an article published in the Mercury News, the floral mosaic is courtesy of Toyota:

Toyota is paying for landscaping efforts on I-280 and eight other roads in the state as part of a pilot project to beautify state highways. Installation and maintenance costs have been picked up by Toyota for the flower display and three adjacent acres.

In return, the Japanese car company gets a small Adopt-A-Highway-like sign that simply reads “Toyota.” And cash-strapped Caltrans gets a more aesthetically pleasing hillside without having to spend scarce state dollars.

The I-280 design of pansies, marigolds and alyssum shows an orange car that resembles a hybrid Prius rolling over a blue bridge connecting two asparagus-green hills. [source]

While the act itself seems noble, some are wondering whether or not this is simply a clever plot by Toyota for some advertising space where people will be guaranteed to take notice. What do you think?

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