Speaking about this week's meeting between Roads Service and Newtownabbey Borough Council, the Minister outlined a number of major and minor schemes taking place in the Borough.
Mr Murphy said: "The works currently being carried out on the M2 motorway will deliver significant improvements to this strategic route. The Belfast bound carriageway is being widened to provide a third lane between the Sandyknowes and Greencastle junctions; the countrybound carriageway is being widened to provide three lanes through the Greencastle junction; and the Hightown, Collinbridge and Longlands overbridges are all being replaced.
"Work on the bridges is well underway with new retaining walls constructed and embankments widened along the city and country bound carriageways.
"Plans for widening the A2 Shore Road between Jordanstown and Seapark continue to be assessed following the Public Inquiry held in October 2007. Roads Service is considering the inspectors' report and expects to finalise the Department's response by Autumn 2008.
"In addition to these high priority schemes, important minor improvements are planned across the Borough. These include provision of a footway at Ballyeaston Road and Lower Ballyboley Road, plus carriageway and bridge widening at Park Road, Mallusk.
"Building on a successful Safer Routes To School programme, where three sites were completed in the past year, a further two sites will be promoted within the Borough. Traffic calming schemes are also planned for Hazelburn Road, Carnmoney Road North / The Glade and Hawthorne Way / Ollerdale Park."
The Minister also stated that 2007/08 had been a successful year for structural maintence, after a strong bid by Roads Service for additional funds led to more than £17 million of extra funding being allocated to this important function.
"The additional resources mean that around £75 million has been invested in the structural maintenance of our roads last year and it is planned to spend a further £200 million over the next three years. The maintenance of surfaces and underlying structures of roads and footways is essential for the social and economic well-being in all areas in the north," he said.
"The Department will continue with its carrageway and footway resurfacing programme plus surface dressing and drainage improvement across the Borough,'' said Mr Murphy.
Speaking at Tuesday night's meeting at Mossley Mill, Roads Service's Deputy Divisional Roads Manager Kevin Monaghan said there were significant challenges to be faced.
"The Investment Strategy anticipates a large programme of trunk road improvements over the next 10 years, with investment totalling £3.1 billion pounds. Roads Service is currently considering how this work will be programmed and delivered.
"Roads Service has also noted the recent decision on the reform of public administration and will be considering the revised working arrangements and structural changes that will need to be agreed and implemented by 2011.
"Despite these challenges, Roads Service will continue to concentrate on scheme delivery in the Newtownabbey Borough Council area.
"To minimise the disruption arising from any works we will also be making every effort to give motorists advance warning of roadworks through signage and information prior to works. There will be updated information on our website and radio traffic reports," Mr Monaghan said.
At the meeting, councillor Jim Bingham urged Roads Service officials to look at improving street lighting in the Victoria Road area.
Members also asked the officials to investigate the possibility of upgrading the junction at Carnmoney Road North and the Carntall Road. However, they were informed that the junction is linked to plans for the Global Point site near Corr's Corner.