The multi-billion dollar project is the largest in the federal High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program administered by the FRA.
Moorman outlined projects that warrant significant investment including construction of the Portal North Bridge and new Hudson Tunnels in New Jersey.
Several prominent Democrats, including Sen. Charles E. Schumer and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, were among those voting against Chao, who had cruised through three confirmation hearings for other cabinet positions previously without a dissenting vote.
Elaine Chao promised to look at creative ways to attract funding for the $1 trillion infrastructure investment that the president-elect campaigned on, but was careful to avoid mentioning any specific financial figures.
Some lawmakers expressed concern as to whether NJ Transit would be able to implement positive train control by the federally mandated deadline of Dec. 31, 2018.
Train operator James Curley told NTSB investigators that people on the train were “yelling, screaming, kicking and banging on the glass doors” as he was repeatedly told to wait in the tunnel.
Will focus on the changes made to the program in MAP-21 and highlight the expansion in available project eligibility and growth in grant applications.
Monday's hearing of the Full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, chaired by U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL), examined federal safety programs and how best to improve bus safety.
The agenda will focus not only on the Metro accident investigation, but also the adequacy of state and federal oversight of rail transit systems, as well as the characteristics of high reliability organizations.