With Wisconsin Gov.-elect Scott Walker declining federal dollars for high-speed rail, it puts Minnesota in the driver’s seat for determining a better route for rails from St. Paul to Chicago.

Such a route deserves to go through Rochester, rather than Eau Claire. Wisconsin’s mistake could be a good move for southern Minnesota.

A route through Rochester would benefit the Mayo Clinic and the economy of the region.

In the past two years, it was Wisconsin in favor and Minnesota against. With Mark Dayton in and Tim Pawlenty out, and with Scott Walker replacing Jim Doyle in Wisconsin, the tables have turned.

Naysayers look at today’s freeways and question the need for high-speed rail. However, the pioneers used to think in terms of 100 years ahead. Today, leaders think in terms of the next quarterly report. In a century, Americans will be glad that other transportation options were built by visionaries who sought alternative ways to move people long distances.

Still, one not need to look only at the future to influence the decision. Consider the troublesome state of air travel at present and the possibility of gas prices shooting up with any Mideast crisis. High-speed rail might become a safe, efficient mode of getting around.