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Valley View Avenue will be shut down for a half mile from Rosecrans Avenue to Gannet Street over the weekend. This marks the first time Valley View has been shut down during the ongoing massive multi-million dollar railroad expansion project at the railroad crossing near Stage Road, according to La Mirada deputy city manager Jeff Boynton.

The shutdown from 8 p.m., Thursday to 5 a.m., Sunday is one of two closures slated overall — this weekend’s will allow the road to be moved toward the Santa Fe Springs side of the road, so that there is space to excavate. The second shutdown will be to shift things back, months from now, and will likely be shorter. 

The project requires 2,000 feet of Valley View Avenue to be altered, and another 1,000 of Stage Road, which has been partially shut down since last August.

Local residents were receptive to the idea, Boynton said after visiting 15 families last week.

“Everybody was positive,” he said, saying that they realized that the momentary concern was for long-term benefit.

The aim of the railroad expansion project is to create a bridge structure for the crossing, which will require lowering the road 21 feet, according to Boynton.

A collaborative effort of La Mirada, Santa Fe Springs and BNSF railroad, the project will cost an estimated $75 million.

The overall project is expected to be finished by late 2014.