Work is due to begin next month on suicide prevention barriers on bridges over the Westlink in Belfast.
The high structures, which will include foliage and planting, are to be installed at the bridges on Divis and Clifton Street.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said she wanted to improve safety while also making the spaces much more "attractive, positive and hopeful".
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She told Belfast Live: "I am very keen that we use our infrastructure to promote positive mental health and wellbeing, and I am very conscious that along the Westlink bridges it has been quite a negative space.
"We know that this can be a place where people come to when they are struggling, and I want to make sure this is a place where people can be safe but is also more attractive and positive.
"It is important for me that we have greenery, we have foliage and we try to transform this place to be a much more positive space for people."
Work on street lighting improvements at the Divis bridge is due to begin on Monday as part of the "Relink the Westlink" project.
A test panel for the barriers is to be erected at the Divis bridge in April. Ms Mallon said she was hopeful the works at the site could be completed in late spring.
The minister's department is also examining feasibility options for new safety measures at Foyle Bridge in Derry.
Speaking at the Divis bridge about the Westlink project, the SDLP North Belfast MLA said: "As the Minister for Infrastructure I want to make sure that I play my part in promoting positive health and wellbeing.
"I want to make sure that within my department we're doing what we can. That's why I set up the 'blue green' fund and we've been promoting active travel because it's good for people's physical and mental health and wellbeing.
"And that's why I'm very keen and committed to this project as well, because we need to make sure that our infrastructure is being built and being improved in a way that promotes positive mental health."
Some families affected by suicide have long called for safety and prevention measures to be installed at the Westlink and motorway bridges.
In 2020, a total of 198 people in Northern Ireland took their own lives, according to provisional statistics.
:: If you are in distress and need to talk to someone, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123, or Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
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