Preparing for traffic gridlock and congestion during the Sundance Film Festival, Park City police will enforce an all-out parking ban on a stretch of historic Main Street.

"It got too hard to remove vehicles in the event of an emergency," Park City Police Chief Wade Carpenter told the Deseret News on Monday.

The parking ban applies to both sides of Main Street above 7th Street. There will still be some parking spaces available below Heber Avenue, Carpenter said.

The parking ban will run throughout the festival, Jan. 15-25, although city officials said the east side of Main Street may convert to paid parking around Jan. 20 if staffers determine it is warranted. Violating the parking rules can result in a $150 fine and towing.

Park City Chamber of Commerce director Bill Malone said the parking change has been discussed for months.

"They wouldn't consider this if there weren't a lot of foot traffic," he said. "The police, the city, the Historic Main Street Business Alliance — the people work together closely. This was a pretty strategic process."

In years past, police have had to deal with people double parking, delivery vans working outside allowed delivery hours and SUVs stopping in the middle of Main Street to drop people off at film screenings, blocking traffic all the way down the mountain. Officers chastising and even ticketing drivers often didn't have any effect.

"We want to make sure we have clear access and egress," the chief said.

Last year, Park City prohibited parking on the west side of Main Street only so deliveries and passenger drop-off could take place. There is parking on nearby Swede Alley.

Festivalgoers are urged to car-pool and use the city's free bus service. Parking will be available for free after 5 p.m. at the Deer Valley Resort, although city officials said vehicles must be removed by 3 a.m. Treasure Mountain Middle School near Kearns Boulevard is offering free parking on weekends only.

Carpenter said he believes the parking ban will ultimately be successful, adding that he has not heard any negative feedback on it.

"The locals understand what we're trying to accomplish," he said.

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Contributing: Rebecca Palmer

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com