Google VP Marissa Mayer is one of the primary financial supporters funding a new traffic light at 3rd and Stevenson Streets so she can get out of her parking facility more easily.

Is this the sort of example ‘green-washed‘ Google wants to set? Is this appropriate?

Granted, it’s nearly impossible to continue on Stevenson across 3rd Street during peak hours, requiring Ms. Mayer (or her driver) to head left on 3rd, cut across 5 lanes of traffic to make a right on Market to setup for a right turn to head southbound to her employer. Or, make a left on 3rd, left on Market and be forced to make an illegal left turn on 4th Street. Or, make a left on 3rd, continue on Kearny, right on Post and then head south across Market to New Montgomery. Or, make a left on 3rd, a left on Geary and a left on Stockton. All of the above are far from ideal and could add as much as five minutes outbound. (Actually, the last one isn’t so bad.)

My best guess is that this installation would make it possible to continue on Stevenson across 3rd, winding via Jessie Street to New Montgomery or 2nd Street to head southbound, saving those precious five minutes. A $165,000 shortcut?

Just a sidebar: if I had a bajillion dollars, I would pressure the City to install additional lights as well. But, instead of allowing me to leave the City as fast as possible, they would give transit absolute right of way. Readers will happily note, I do not have a bajillion dollars.

Link to Valleywag Post