Here's my guesses...

> Why isn't there a pedestrian bridge?

Signals that you don't really care about people walking or people with disabilities and want them to drive.

Ok, that was flippant, I realize, but the only time I've seen anyone use prefer overpasses and such is the Vegas strip and that's because it is outright hostile to walk next to or across.

> Why is there a major thoroughfare in front of a school?

Everybody is driven to school. Look at the land use around the school.