High-speed rail to Rochester not likely

The plan from a private group to build high-speed passenger rail between St. Paul and Rochester probably isn’t going anywhere.

The North American High Speed Rail Group had hoped to build the line by cutting the government out of it.

Sen. Matt Schmit, D-Red Wing, told the Goodhue County Board of Commissioners this week that while a feasibility study is months away, it’s probably going to recommend against the group’s proposal, the Rochester Post Bulletin reports.

“At the end of the day, I just don’t see this happening,” he said.

Rail fans have pretty much gotten accustomed to that conclusion when it comes to passenger rail.

But opposition along the proposed route — especially Cannon Falls, Zumbrota and Pine Island — is staunchly negative for the project which mostly is seen as benefiting only Rochester and the Mayo Clinic.