Chris Christie could face a federal criminal investigation into “Bridgegate” — as a growing number of state Democrats want him to answer for the orchestrated traffic nightmare.

“This smells of corrupt use of government authority at the highest levels,” said Democratic State Sen. Ray Lesniak, who called for a federal grand-jury probe, rather than a state investigation that could be influenced by the Christie administration.

State Sen. Barbara Buono, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee who was crushed in Christie’s November landslide, noted that Christie was a former federal prosector.

“If Chris Christie were US attorney now and this were a Democratic governor, he would have already launched an investigation,” she said.

But political strategists said Christie will survive and could run for president in 2016.

“I don’t think the bridge controversy will hurt much over the long haul,” said Democratic political consultant Bill Brannon. “I think that voters might appreciate a president who is tough enough to take names and kick some ass,” he added.