Walla Walla considers all-way stop at crash-prone Chestnut and Third intersection

WALLA WALLA — City of Walla Walla officials are weighing changes to make a high-risk intersection safer, including a proposal to turn Chestnut Street and Third Avenue into an all-way stop.

Under the plan, drivers approaching from all four directions would have to come to a complete stop before proceeding. Chestnut Street currently has no stop signs at the junction, while Third Avenue has two-way stop control.

The city ordered a safety review after recording 15 crashes occurred at the crossing between 2020 and 2025. The frequency and severity of those collisions led officials to flag the intersection as one of the city’s higher-risk spots in the Walla Walla Comprehensive Safety Action Plan.

City officials estimate that installing an all-way stop could reduce crashes by as much as 70 percent while making it easier for pedestrians to cross Chestnut Street.

A traffic analysis found the change would slightly increase wait times on Chestnut Street by about nine seconds during peak morning and evening hours. However, drivers on Third Avenue would see wait times drop by roughly 10 seconds. Officials said the resulting vehicle lines are not expected to cause major delays or back up into nearby intersections.

Planners also considered eliminating 14 on-street parking spots across all four corners to improve sight lines for drivers turning from Third Avenue. That proposal was ruled out as the preferred option because of the loss of neighborhood parking.

The city is gathering public input on the proposal before acting. To learn more, visit https://www.gowallawalla.us/current-projects/2026-chestnut-street-and-3rd-avenue

Photo of South Third Avenue and West Chestnut Street courtesy city of Walla Walla

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Elkhorn Media Group