TRENTON, N.J. — U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg is calling for an investigation into the cancellation of the underwater rail tunnel linking New Jersey and New York City.

Lautenberg says he wants more information about the role state Transportation Commissioner James Simpson played and whether he violated state ethics laws by participating in the process.

Simpson oversaw work on the tunnel while he was the head of the Federal Transit Administration under President George W. Bush.

Simpson officially recused himself on Oct. 5, two days before Gov. Chris Christie first announced that he was canceling the nation’s largest infrastructure project then under way.

Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak says the administration is confident Simpson’s actions do not conflict with state ethics laws.