Yeah, sorry, I don’t have experience with exactly that, but if you’re sure that getting that out of there will allow you to place two switches instead – and that they’ll work (did you try closing their circuits and see that you get what you want?) – then personally, I’d just go for it. Carefully, taking time, controlled cuts, minimal forceful twisting, pulling, and turning, etc. It seems like you have nicely much “elbow room” to work.