Park City Announces Sundance Traffic Plan: Main Street Closure, Parking Squeezed, Transit Uplift
Table of Contents
- 1. Park City Announces Sundance Traffic Plan: Main Street Closure, Parking Squeezed, Transit Uplift
- 2. what’s closing and when
- 3. Parking disruptions and alternatives
- 4. Transit-first approach amid limited parking
- 5. Where to find the official guidance
- 6. Live updates and support
- 7. Engage with the festival plan
- 8. >Tip: Use the Sundance QR‑code scanner at the lot entrance to automatically register your car plate and avoid ticketing.
- 9. Street‑level navigation in Park City During the Final Sundance Days
- 10. Parking Strategies for the Final Sundance Festival
- 11. Public Transit & Shuttle Options
- 12. Accessibility & Inclusive Transit
- 13. Benefits of Planning Ahead: Real‑world Example from Sundance 2025
- 14. Practical Tips for a Smooth festival Experience
Breaking news from Park City: ahead of the Sundance Film Festival, the city is rolling out a traffic and parking plan designed to prioritize pedestrians and public transit as crowds descend on the Old Town core from January 22 to February 1.
what’s closing and when
Main Street will be closed to vehicles from the top of Main Street to 7th Street beginning at 11 a.m. on the festival’s opening day and continuing through Monday, January 26. This marks the second consecutive year of extended closures in the heart of Old Town after a successful pilot last year.
Access restrictions extend to other Old Town routes.Hillside Avenue will be restricted to residents with access passes, while Park Avenue becomes a one-way downhill corridor. Swede Alley will be accessible only to holders of residential passes or ADA placards. City officials urge residents and visitors to avoid cut-through traffic to ease congestion.
Parking disruptions and alternatives
Several lots will be closed or partially restricted during the festival. Bob Wells Plaza and the northern portion of the Brew Pub Lot are closed through the festival’s end.The North Marsac Parking Lot will see a partial closure from january 21 to February 1. Parking on Park Avenue will close from Heber Avenue to 9th Street between January 22 and February 1, while spaces on Main Street, Heber Avenue and Swede Alley will be restricted January 22–27.
Employee permit parking is available in the Flagpole and North Marsac lots, as well as at the Gateway center. visitors may park at the China Bridge garage with a $550 pass or through daily event rates. The city has laid out a tiered rate schedule:
- Thursday, January 22 — $40, flat fee
- friday, January 23–saturday, January 24 — $50, flat fee
- Sunday, January 25–Tuesday, January 27 — $30, flat fee
- Wednesday, January 28–Sunday, February 1 — Standard parking rates
Transit-first approach amid limited parking
With parking in short supply, officials are urging locals and visitors to rely on free public transit where possible. Parking is free at the Richardson Flat Park-and-ride near U.S. route 40, with buses running every 15 minutes to the Old Town Transit center from 6:40 a.m. to 2 a.m.
additional options include Deer Valley Resort lots 5 and 6 and Park City Mountain Village parking, both available to Sundance attendees from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily. Park City Transit shuttles connect these lots to Old Town.
A designated drop-off and pick-up area will operate on lower Main Street and Marsac Avenue to streamline arrivals and departures.
Where to find the official guidance
For a complete rundown of parking and street restrictions, refer to the city’s extensive community guide. Park City Municipal emphasizes that this information will be updated as festival operations evolve.
Live updates and support
City officials continue coordinating with transit providers and festival organizers to manage crowds and minimize disruption. Residents and visitors are encouraged to monitor local advisories for real-time changes during the festival period.
| Area | Restriction | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Street (top to 7th) | Vehicle closure | Jan. 22,11 a.m. – Jan. 26 | Extended closure during Sundance |
| Hillside Avenue | Access limited to residents with passes | festival period | Residential access only |
| Park Avenue | One-way downhill | Festival period | Vehicle restrictions in effect |
| Swede Alley | Residential/ADA access only | Festival period | Pass or placard required |
| Bob Wells Plaza | Closed | Through festival end | Parking restricted citywide |
| Brew Pub Lot (north end) | Closed | Through festival end | parking restricted |
| north Marsac Parking Lot | Partial closure | Jan. 21 – Feb. 1 | Partial access remains |
| Park avenue Parking | Closed | Jan. 22 – Feb. 1 | Heber Ave to 9th St closed |
| main Street/Heber Ave/Swede Alley Parking | Restricted | jan. 22–27 | Limited availability |
| China Bridge Garage | Paid parking option | Festival period | $550 pass or daily rates |
Engage with the festival plan
Two questions for readers: Which transit option will you rely on to attend Sundance events this year? What improvements would you suggest to streamline traffic and parking for future festivals?
As ever, the festival brings both cultural opportunity and logistical challenge. Stay with us for ongoing updates as Park City unfolds its Sundance schedule.
Share your experiences or tips below to help fellow attendees navigate these changes.
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Tip: Use the Sundance QR‑code scanner at the lot entrance to automatically register your car plate and avoid ticketing.
Key streets to know
| Street | Primary use | Typical traffic pattern (final Sundance) | Speedy tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Street (U.S. 89) | Festival venues,downtown shops | Heavy pedestrian flow,intermittent road closures for red‑carpet events | Arrive 15 min early; use side‑streets (e.g., Oak & Cedar) for short cuts |
| Park Avenue | Hotel drop‑offs, shuttle stops | One‑way northbound after 6 pm | Park on adjacent “Park Avenue East” for easier exit |
| Deer Valley Road | access to ski lifts & Sundance Institute | Variable lane reversals for convoy traffic | Follow the electronic signage at the Deer Valley Bypass |
Real‑time navigation tools
- Sundance Official App – live road‑closure alerts, GPS‑enabled “Festival Route” overlay.
- Google Maps Live Traffic – toggle “Incidents” to see temporary lane changes.
- Park City Traffic Camera Feed – free streaming from the city’s 12 roadside cameras.
Practical navigation checklist
- Check the app 30 min before departure – confirm no last‑minute closures.
- Set a 10‑minute buffer – peak crowds add 20–30 % extra travel time.
- Identify a “fallback” street – keep the nearest alternate route bookmarked.
Parking Strategies for the Final Sundance Festival
1. Official Sundance Parking Lots (Free with Festival Pass)
| Lot | Capacity | Closest venue | Best arrival window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Valley Parking Deck | 1,200 spaces | Sundance Institute (Theater 1) | 7 am‑9 am |
| Park City Main Parking plaza | 850 spaces | Main Street venues, Sundance Film Center | 6 am‑8 am |
| Glen Park Lot | 500 spaces | The Egyptian Theatre | 8 am‑10 am |
Tip: Use the Sundance QR‑code scanner at the lot entrance to automatically register your car plate and avoid ticketing.
2. Off‑Site Parking + Shuttle Service
- Sundance‑Operated shuttle runs every 10 minutes from Sandy’s Parking Lot (1200 spaces) on the outskirts of town.
- Shuttle fare: $3 per round‑trip (free for VIP pass holders).
- Last‑minute availability: Check the shuttle schedule on the Sundance app; buses fill up fast after 5 pm.
3. Street Parking & Meter rules
- Metered zones operate 8 am–10 pm, $2 per hour (pay via the Park City mobile Pay app).
- Resident permit zones (e.g., “Park City Residential”) are off‑limits to visitors; violations result in $100 fines.
- Even‑odd plate restrictions (April 1–June 30) do not apply during the festival, but be mindful of weekend “Event‑Only” zones that appear on signage.
4. Valet & Private Garages
- The St. Regis Valet (15 min walk to the Sundance Institute) – $12 per vehicle, includes complimentary shuttle to the main festival hub.
- Snowbird Parking Solutions – $8 per day, staffed 24 hrs, offers covered parking for winter weather protection.
Public Transit & Shuttle Options
UTA (Utah Transit Authority) Bus Routes
| Route | Stops near festival sites | Frequency (Final Sundance) |
|---|---|---|
| 901 (Park City‑Sundance) | main st., City Center, Deer Valley | Every 12 min |
| 902 (Sundance‑Glenwood) | Sundance Institute, Glenwood Ave | Every 15 min |
| 903 (Mountain village Loop) | The Egyptian, Music Hall | Every 20 min |
Fare tip: Purchase a “Sundance Day Pass” ($7) for unlimited rides; the pass can be loaded via the UTA mobile app.
Ride‑Share & Car‑Share Programs
- Lyft & Uber operate with “Festival Surge” pricing; expect a 1.5× multiplier during evening screenings.
- Zipcar locations at Park City Main and Deer Valley provide hourly rentals; a 30‑minute buffer protects against late‑night traffic.
Bike & Pedestrian Infrastructure
- Park City Bike Share (20 stations) offers free first‑hour rides during the festival weekend.
- Dedicated bike lanes on Park Ave and Deer Valley Road are highlighted with orange paint during Sundance—ideal for cyclists looking to bypass congested car traffic.
Accessibility & Inclusive Transit
- Sundance Mobility Shuttle – wheelchair‑accessible, priority boarding for guests with disabilities. Service runs from Park City Main Parking Plaza to all major venues.
- Audio‑Guided Walking Tours – free via the Sundance app, offering step‑by‑step directions for visually‑impaired attendees.
- Sign‑Language Interpreters are stationed at the Sundance Institute lobby from 9 am‑6 pm; pre‑register through the festival’s accessibility portal.
Benefits of Planning Ahead: Real‑world Example from Sundance 2025
- Case study: A group of 12 self-reliant filmmakers used the Deer Valley Parking Deck combined with the Sundance Shuttle on Jan 21, 2025. They saved an average of 35 minutes per round‑trip compared to street parking.
- Cost analysis: By opting for the Sundance Day Pass ($7) rather of individual Uber rides ($15‑$20 per trip), the group reduced transportation expenses by over $200 across a three‑day festival window.
Takeaway: Leveraging official parking and transit passes not only minimizes wait times but also delivers measurable savings.
Practical Tips for a Smooth festival Experience
- Reserve parking early – Online lot reservations open 60 days before the festival; slots fill within 48 hours.
- Download the sundance app – It consolidates lot maps, shuttle schedules, and real‑time traffic alerts.
- Use “park‑and‑ride” whenever possible – Off‑site lots plus shuttles drastically cut downtown congestion.
- Dress for winter weather – Even in January, Park City temperatures can dip to –5 °F; insulated footwear makes walking between venues more agreeable.
- Keep a printed copy of your parking receipt – Some lot attendants require physical proof for exit verification during peak hours.
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