eTOD in Austin (left) • West Side apartments in Jersey City • Seattle code changes unlock housing • South Florida RTA starts $100M project • Estonia shifts industrial district to mixed-use (right top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
TEXAS—Affordable Housing and Transit Case Study Series: Austin
Sohail Husain, Eno Center for Transportation | February 6, 2026
In the second installation of its eTOD case study series, Eno analyzes efforts to build affordable housing near transit in Austin. The City of Austin and CapMetro use anti-displacement funding, an eTOD policy toolkit, removal of off-street parking requirements, and multiple zoning changes to support these projects.
NJ TOD News
New Jersey Bridge Project Could Snarl Rail Traffic for a Month
Stefanos Chen, The New York Times | February 13, 2026
NJ TRANSIT will cut weekday service to Manhattan over the Portal Bridge by nearly half from Feb. 15 to Mar. 15 as work advances on the Portal North Bridge project. The $1.5 billion effort will replace the 116-year-old bridge, a frequent source of delays and suspended service.
NEW BRUNSWICK—Final 39-Story Tower Approved for Helix Redevelopment in New Brunswick
Mario Marroquin, Jersey Digs | February 11, 2026
The Planning Board in New Brunswick approved the third and final phase of the Helix redevelopment project. The 39-story building—next to New Brunswick Station in the city’s downtown—will include office space on floors 1-7 for Middlesex County employees and 265 apartments on floors 8-39.
JERSEY CITY—1 Mallory Avenue Completes Construction in Jersey City, New Jersey
Michael Young and Matt Pruznick, New York YIMBY | February 8, 2026
MYHomeJC completed construction on 1 Mallory Avenue, a 44-unit project in Jersey City’s West Side neighborhood. The site sits within a 10-minute walk to West Side Avenue Station on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail.
Transit and Equity News
Opinion | Something Surprising Happens When Bus Rides Are Free
Emily Galvin Almanza, The New York Times | February 13, 2026
In a New York Times editorial, Emily Galvin Almanza, lawyer and Executive Director of Partners for Justice, highlights an underdiscussed benefit of fare-free transit: reduced strain on the justice system. Eliminating fares would cut caseloads, let judges and lawyers focus on other matters, and lower public legal costs.
CALIFORNIA—Rollout of New Housing-Near-Transit Law Encountering Confusion and Delay
Damien Newton, Streetsblog California | February 11, 2026
Implementation of S.B. 79 in California has stalled amid confusion and delay. City and State officials disagree on how to define transit stops, which corridors qualify, and how to apply density standards. Senator Scott Wiener introduced clarifying legislation, but the bill’s prospects remain uncertain.
WASHINGTON—The Seattle Example for Unlocking More Housing, One Stairway at a Time
Christine Ro, Next City | February 11, 2026
Many U.S. codes require apartment buildings to include two stairwells, which raises costs and reduces usable space. By allowing single-stairway apartments, Seattle lets developers recover about 7 percent of floor area and cut construction costs by nearly 13 percent.
COLORADO—Colorado Housing Bill Could Speed Up Affordable Housing Projects, Drawing Mixed Reactions
Peter Choi, KOAA News | February 6, 2026
The Colorado House of Representatives approved House Bill 1001, which would remove barriers for nonprofits to build transit-oriented or affordable housing on land they own. Supporters say it will accelerate housing delivery, while critics argue it weakens local land-use control. The bill now moves to the Senate.
Regional and National TOD News
FLORIDA—Boca Raton to Break Ground on $100M Development Linking Residents to Public Transit
Stefany Valderrama, CBS 12 | February 12, 2026
Boca Raton and South Florida Regional Transportation Authority officials attended the groundbreaking for The Link at Boca Raton, a planned 340-unit transit-oriented development. The project will rise next to the Boca Raton Tri-Rail Station and near Florida Atlantic University.
CALIFORNIA—Oakland: Activity Begins at West Oakland BART Station for New Transit-Oriented Development
Staff, SF Gate | February 10, 2026
Pre-construction work has started on a planned TOD at the West Oakland Station parking lot in Oakland. The joint project between Bay Area Rapid Transit and Mandela Station Partners will include 762 housing units, retail space, and offices.
NEW YORK—Proposed NFTA Metro Rail Extension Gains Federal Environmental Approval
Ryan Zunner, BTMP | February 10, 2026
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Metro expansion moved closer to construction after the FTA environmental assessment found that extending Metro Rail to the University at Buffalo would deliver greater economic, environmental, and mobility benefits than BRT or a no-build option. Several federal and local approvals still remain.
NORTH CAROLINA—Congresswoman Foushee Brings Home Over $21M for Affordable Housing, Transportation, Water Improvement, and Public Safety Projects
Press Release, Office of Valerie Foushee | February 6, 2026
Rep. Valerie Foushee secured $21 million for transportation and affordable housing projects in North Carolina’s Research Triangle. The funding will support a 160-unit affordable housing development, the Pittsboro Downtown Revitalization Project, and the Triangle Mobility Hub, a mixed-use TOD planned to offer BRT and rail service.
ALASKA—Alaska’s Ferry System Could Run Out of Funding This Summer Due to ‘Federal Chaos Problem’
James Brooks, Alaska Beacon | February 3, 2026
Alaska Department of Transportation warns the state ferry system could shut down by summer due to a $78 million budget gap after the FTA did not release rural ferry program grants. The department is weighing options, including retiring older ferries and delaying the ferry system budget calendar.
International TOD News
CANADA—Provincial Ban on City Mandating Affordable Housing Percentages Near Transit Hub Developments Has East Toronto Politicians Frustrated
Matthew Stephens, Beach Metro | February 11, 2026
The Government of Ontario blocked Kitchener, Mississauga, and Toronto from enforcing affordable housing requirements near transit stations. The province says the ban will increase housing supply, while critics argue it favors developer profits over resident needs.
ESTONIA—Rail Baltica Transportation Hub Will Create “New City Center” Near Tallinn Airport
Alex Pack, Passenger Terminal Today | February 9, 2026
Tallinn Airport, Rail Baltica Estonia, and Mainor Ülemiste are investing $500 million to redevelop a former industrial district into a mixed-use TOD near the airport, anchored by the Rail Baltica Linda Terminal. Plans include 1,600 apartments, commercial and recreational space, and a transit hub with rail, tram, bus, and airport connections.