The state is willing to spend up to $55 million for infrastructure improvements that could jump-start the controversial $1.5 billion Westwood Station complex.

In a letter sent Tuesday, the state's Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development agreed to provide up to $19 million for the construction of Westwood Station Boulevard and for changes to the intersection of Canton Street and University Avenue.

And MassDOT offered up to $36 million to build a new ramp off Interstate 95 North at Dedham Street in Canton, to widen the "Dedham Street Corridor," and to modify the ramp off I-95 South at Blue Hill Drive.

The state's investment is expected to allow construction of the 4.5 million-square-foot project to start later this year if the developers can meet certain application and settlement deadlines.

The first phase of the development is expected to include 400,000 square feet of retail with a Wegmans supermarket and Target store. More retail, plus offices and housing, are envisioned for the transit-oriented development as the commercial and residential real estate markets improve.

The project cleared a major hurdle earlier this week when the Supreme Judicial Court agreed with a lower court ruling that an environmental challenge by the neighboring town of Canton was invalid because it was filed too late.

Jay Doherty, CEO of co-developer Cabot, Cabot & Forbes of Boston, declined comment. Westwood Station's other developers are Newton's New England Development and Commonfund Realty of Wilton, Conn.

View complete article at BostonHerald.com.