Apr 15, 2009 4:08 PM

President Barack Obama has chosen Maryland Transportation Secretary John D Porcari for the number-two post at the US Department of Transportation: deputy to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. His nomination is subject to US Senate confirmation.

Porcari has led the Maryland DOT since 2007. The agency is responsible for all transportation modes in the state--highways, aviation, mass transit, maritime, commerce, and rail.

As such, he is one of the few state transportation secretaries whose portfolio includes all the major modes of travel.

Porcari also is chairman of the Maryland Transportation Authority, which oversees state toll bridges.