Jaywalking Gone Too Far!

I live in South Austin more towards the west side so I take MoPac/Loop 1, which is a freeway, home frequently, plus my Keller Williams Office is on the MoPac Access Rd so I see a lot of it.

Every now and then as I am driving north and just passing the 71/290/Southwest Pkwy exit I will see either a group of people running across or a single person walking across MoPac in that area. My question is what could be on the other side of the freeway that is so important that you would risk your life and/or getting a nice ticket? Why not just walk the extra few minutes to the intersection and use a nice semi-safe crosswalk?

Was there a rumor that a pot of gold left over from the last rainbow is over there? Do they think that there are new sports cars waiting on the other side for the most brave souls? Actually Walmart is in the area, did they hear that there are some serious "Rollbacks" on the price of TVs? What would it take to get you to take that chance?

I don't get it, and other drivers definitely don't get it. Be safe out there!