John Raymond, proprietor of Honest John’s Pizzeria at 1245 E. Second St., will be providing a complimentary lunch on Friday for road construction workers. This gesture is meant to express appreciation for their efforts in repairing Second Street. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

The recent construction efforts underway on Second Street have a local restaurant owner thrilled and eager to show appreciation for the workers who are fixing the long-neglected road.

John Raymond, the owner and proprietor of Honest John’s Pizzeria and Family Restaurant, 1245 E. Second St., will provide a complimentary lunch to road construction and repair workers today.

“I glanced outside the other day and noticed all the orange cones, and it struck me that it was about time,” Raymond said. “Over the past year, I’ve received numerous comments from my customers about the poor condition of the road, with many choosing to take Falconer Street as a detour from Second Street. I wanted to do something thoughtful and straightforward to express my gratitude to those who are actually putting in the effort.”

The restaurant’s sign, prominently displayed at the intersection of Second Street and James Avenue, highlights Raymond’s initiative to offer complimentary meals on Fridays for those who contribute to breaking up concrete and asphalt.

“I’m not quite sure why, but as I grow older, I find myself paying more attention to things like the road construction happening around us, and I genuinely appreciate the effort being put in,” he remarked. “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the mayor of Jamestown and the City Council for their commitment to this project. I understand that the state has significant improvements planned for Second Street, but I felt compelled to express my gratitude in my own way. I know a meal is no big deal – but it’s the least I could do.”

As reported in a July 9 article from the Post-Journal, the current road work serves as a temporary solution to improve drivability and overall road conditions along the corridor. These issues, which have developed over the past couple of years, have been worsened by a severe winter. This coordinated effort between the city’s Public Works Department and the state Transportation Department will involve milling and paving the westbound travel lane, along with targeted sections of the eastbound lane. The aim of these improvements is to enhance drivability and maintain satisfactory roadway conditions until the scheduled reconstruction of Route 394 commences later on.

Motorists must exercise caution in work zones, strictly obey all posted signage, and prepare for temporary disruptions during this work. Further updates will be communicated as the project timeline advances.

For more information on the free meal, contact Honest John’s at (716) 665-2555.