RICHMOND, Va. – After more than 130 years, Richmond’s towering monument to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee will be dismantled and removed  Wednesday.

State officials said that preparations for the statue’s removal will began 6 p.m. Tuesday when crews will install protective fencing.

Once the statue is hoisted off the pedestal, it’s expected to be cut into two pieces for transport, although the final plan is subject to change, said Dena Potter, a spokeswoman for the state’s Department of General Services.

After the statue is taken down Wednesday, crews on Thursday will remove plaques from the base of the monument and will replace a time capsule that is believed to be there.

Limited viewing opportunities will be available on a first‐come, first‐serve basis, state officials said in Monday’s news release. The removal will also be livestreamed through the governor’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, both of which have the handle of @governorVA.

The Northam administration has said it would seek public input on the statue’s future. The 40-foot granite pedestal will be left behind.

“Virginia’s largest monument to the Confederate insurrection will come down this week,” Gov. Ralph Northam said in news release on Monday. “This is an important step in showing who we are and what we value as a commonwealth.”