Living on the East Coast, I've often found myself wondering why pedestrian bridges are so rare on many freeways here compared to other regions. One key factor is the way freeways were developed historically in urban areas where space is constrained, making it challenging to add pedestrian bridges later on. Moreover, many East Coast freeways were designed primarily for vehicular traffic with a focus on connectivity between major cities rather than local pedestrian access. This emphasis often resulted in limited pedestrian infrastructure, including fewer bridges or crossings dedicated to foot traffic. Another aspect is safety and cost. Building pedestrian bridges requires adequate placement to ensure they are used effectively, yet many stretches between urban centers lack significant pedestrian demand, making such investments less prioritized. From personal experience, when walking near these freeways, alternative routes such as dedicated sidewalks on local roads or underpasses sometimes provide safer pedestrian options, although these can be less direct. Urban planning is also evolving, with newer projects gradually incorporating more pedestrian-friendly features, recognizing the importance of multi-modal transportation. However, existing freeway infrastructure remains challenging to retrofit, leading to continued gaps in pedestrian access in many areas. In summary, the limited number of pedestrian bridges on East Coast freeways reflects a combination of historical design choices, urban density challenges, safety considerations, and cost-effectiveness, resulting in a different pedestrian landscape compared to regions with more expansive freeway layouts.