A £900,000 project to protect homes in Lisburn from flooding is due to begin next week.
The new flood alleviation scheme will protect more than 100 homes as well as a primary school on the Prince William Road.
The Department of Infrastructure said the £900,000 scheme on the Flush Bridge Stream would begin on February 22. It is expected that the works could take up to nine months to complete.
The Ballymacash and Prince William Roads have been plagued with flooding on a number of occasions over the last decade.
The DfI said the works will involve the construction of approximately 850 metres of new 1200 millimetre diameter concrete culvert.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said: “I have seen first-hand the devastation flooding can bring on homes and communities.
"This area has a history of flooding which I am sure can cause anxiety each time bad weather is forecast.
"I hope that this work will bring some comfort and reassurance to this community.”
The Department said that scheme will be programmed to "minimise any inconvenience to the public", however, road users have been advised to be aware of emerging construction traffic.
Alliance Councillor Alderman Amanda Grehan welcomed the "long overdue" scheme.
The Lisburn South Cllr added: "I welcome this news because residents along that busy road have been waiting for this for a very long time.
"I'm glad to hear that the scheme will press ahead in the next week, protecting residential properties and a school that have suffered due to flooding in the past.
"This is really good news for those who have campaigned for this defence scheme," Alderman Grehan said.
"They have identified a major problem and it's good for the people who live in that area.
"Residents have been faced with problems for many years and if this helps alleviate those problems then it's money well spent."
