<p>Lengthy negotiations between Victoria and the Australian Rail Track Corporation would finally deliver standard-gauge track between Albury and Seymour and the completion of the Wodonga rail bypass, at a cost of $501.3m, the state and federal governments said today.</p> <p>When the 200-km rail conversion is finished – it is due to start this year and be complete by 2010 – there will be a uniform, standard-gauge link between Melbourne and Sydney.</p> <p>"It will create an interstate rail freight super highway," Victorian premier John Brumby said.</p> <p>"It will deliver major rail service improvements along the corridor."</p> <p>The northeast rail revitalisation project will also see upgrade of the Melbourne-Seymour standard-gauge line, including new passing loops, along with passenger train conversions and refurbishments.</p> <p>Federal transport minister Anthony Albanese said his government’s $330m would see $45m spent on the bypass and $285m, through ARTC and the Southern Improvement Alliance, on the track conversion, "providing a sifnificant boost to the nation’s rail freight network".</p> <br />